Burma-Myanmar: Fighting escalates between army and a rebel alliance in Shan State
Fighting erupted for the second time this month between the Burma Army and an allied force of ethnic armed groups in northern Shan State this week, according to an officer of one rebel group.
Tar Kyan Hein of the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) told The Irrawaddy on Friday that the Burma Army Light Infantry Divisions 11 and 99 invaded rebel territories of Loi Kang village in Tarmoenye, a sub-township of Kutkhai, where a similar incident in early October reportedly left 17 government soldiers dead after they tried to advance on TNLA territory.
At least three rebel armies—TNLA, Kachin Independence Army (KIA) and Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA)—have bases in the area and consider each other allies. Tar Kyan Hein said that the Burmese troops encountered and fought with each group over the past two days.