Clashes occurred between the Myanmar military and Kachin Independence Army for two consecutive days on the border between Muse and Kutkai townships in Shan State (North), one of the military-declared ceasefire areas, said KIA spokesperson Colonel Naw Bu. 

Skirmishes broke out in the battalion-9-controlled area under our KIA Brigade (6) on June 6 and 7. It is in the east of Muse Township and on the border between Kutkai and Muse,” Col Naw Bu said. 

He said fighting took place as the KIA had resisted the entry of the military into its area, and the army troops left the area on the evening of June 7, he added. 

Brigadier General Zaw Min Tun, secretary of Tatmadaw (Military) True News Information Team, said clashes occurred between a military column and KIA about 12,000 meters northeast of Namphatkar Village. The military confronted about 15 KIA troops in the morning and about 60 troops in the afternoon on June 7. 

“The reason for the fighting was that they trespassed on our area in northern Shan State. Here, we are carrying out regional peace and security duties. We seized some guns from KIA. Some of our soldiers were injured,” said Brig-Gen Zaw Min Tun. 

The fighting on June 8 is said to be more intense. 

The military has already announced a ceasefire aimed for lasting peace in all areas except Rakhine State and Paletwa in Chin State.