YANGON- Fighting between the military and Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) took place yesterday in Kutkai and Tarmoenye Townships in Northern Shan State, according to TNLA’s Information Department.

The army had announced a temporary ceasefire at their five regional commands since December last year.

However, army and ethnic armed groups had clashed 97 times during the seven months since the army’s ceasefire.

The military and TNLA had clashed 25 times, Maj-Gen Soe Naing Oo, Head of the Tatmadaw’s True News Information Team said at a Press Conference held in Nay Pyi Taw on July 23rd.

Most of the fights were caused by violation of Rules of Engagement and disciplines as well as extortion and forced recruitment of civilians made by the TNLA, according to Maj-Gen Soe Naing Oo.

Although the government plans to sign Bilateral Agreement with four of Northern Alliance Army including TNLA, there is no agreement concerning the venue for holding of meetings with government and northern alliance army. Therefore, the meeting can’t be held yet.

Both sides had sent the initial draft of ceasefire agreement reciprocally and then the government already suggested TNLA as they[TNLA] should relocate their places only in Namtsan and Mongton Townships which are involved in Palaung Self-Administered Zone