Tatmadaw (defence service) managed to prevent Brotherhood Alliance from approaching Kutkai with the use of two helicopters in time on September 2 and the clashes between Tatmadaw and Brotherhood Alliance are still going on, said Brig-Gen Zaw Min Tun, Secretary of Tatmadaw True News Information Team.

The Brotherhood Alliance came to launch attacks on Tatmadaw military column that was carrying out security measures in the south of Yingweltaung on Union Highway on September 2 and that they exchanged fires, said Brig-Gen Zaw Min Tun.

“Yesterday, the Brotherhood Alliance came to launch attacks on Tatmadaw military column taking security measures in Yingweltaung, south of Nantphatkar  on Union Highway and the clashes went on. We managed to prevent the Brotherhood Alliance approaching Kutkai using two helicopters as we got information in advance. It is right because we have got information ahead, said Brig-Gen Zaw Min Tun.

The Brotherhood Alliance comprising the TNLA, the MNDAA and the AA launched attacks on the DSTA in PyinOoLwin and civilian targets on August 15 and clashes are still going on in about seven townships such as Kutkai, Lashio and Muse.

On August 31, the Brotherhood Alliance attacked on inner Kutkai with heavy weapons and five people including a child of month-old from Mawhitsuse village were dead and three other were injured. In connection with the incident, the Office of the Commander-in-Chief (Army) issued an announcement on September 2, said Brig-Gen Zaw Min Tun.

Recently an armed group in the north-east of Kutkai and another group in the south-west of Kutkai came to launch attacks. Five villagers including a child were dead in Mawhitsuse village. We have already issued an announcement. Now the armed groups are approaching Kutkai as well. We could prevent them approaching Kutkai as we have got information in advance, said Brig-Gen Zaw Min Tun.