The news that the clash broke out between the government army and the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) broke out in Kutkai was totally wrong as Tatmadaw (defence services) recently issued a statement saying it would halt all of its military activities in five theaters, Brig-Gen Zaw Lin Tun, Deputy Director of Directorate of Public Relations and Psychological Warfare of Office told the Daily Eleven on December 25.  

TNLA’s information dept issued a statement saying that a clash broke out between the government army and the TNLA in Kutkai on the morning of December 24. 

“Tatmadaw issued a statement on ceasefire and eternal peace on December 21 and gave instructions on military activities to be halted in five theaters. There were no clashes later in the announcement of the Tatmadaw. But TNLA wrote an occurrence of the clash between the government army and the TNLA on its website. Seven local media carried this news. Of course, actually there was no clash between the government army and the TNLA in Kutkai,” said Brig-Gen Zaw Lin Tun.

The TNLA’s information dept issued the statement on December 24 saying that the clash broke out between the government army and the TNLA near Shwemaw village, Kutkai, northern Shan State. 

The clash between the government army and the TNLA broke out, lasting 20 minutes from 7. 20 a m to 7.40, according to the announcement of the TNLA.

 The clash broke out due to the offensive attacks of the government army to the stations of the TNLA. It happened three days after the announcement of the Tatmadaw, according to the announcement of the TNLA.

The TNLA, the MNDAA and the AA issued a joint statement on December 12, saying they they would halt military operations first and then continue engaging in national reconciliation and peace process through political means. 

With regard to this statement, the Tatmadaw issued a statement on December 21, saying they would halt all of its military activities from 21 December, 2018 to 30 April 2019 in respective theaters. During that period, ethnic armed organizations in respective theaters are to hold talks on peace including ceasefire with National Reconciliation and Peace Center.

Translated and Edited by Win Htut