On 15 and 16 April, during the Myanmar New Year celebrations, a fierce battle broke out between Burma army and Shan State Progress Party/Shan State Army (SSPP/SSA) at Loi Zay, Tangyan Township, northern Shan State, said local news sources.

“It has been 2 days, yesterday and today that they [Burma army] have reinforced its troops that resulted in a fierce fight. Burma army lost 4 dead, 8 injured,” said Maj Sai La, spokesperson for SSPP/SSA.


On 15 and 16 April, for 2 days in order to control the Loi Zay mountain range, 3 infantry battalions made several assaults on the SSPP/SSA Loi Zay base. The IBs 33 and 291 advanced while the other was shelling with heavy weapons from the rear. For two days, the fight began at 9.00 am and ended at 12.00 noon, said an SSPP/SSA commander.

Two refugees from Tangyan who had returned home to look for their buffaloes were also injured on their way home.

“On the first day, they [Burma army] shelled us from the villages. We were unable to retaliate immediately fearing safety for villagers. We started exchanging fire only when their [Burma army] reinforcement came in. A villager from Hwe Nampu, caught in the crossfire, sustained injury,” said the commander.

“From our side [SSPP/SSA] we have prepared for self-defense and our troops have been alerted.  It is said that the regional command based in Lashio has signaled to wipe out all the SSPP/SSA bases stationed along the Loi Zay area,” said an SSPP officer close to regional command.

Due to the tension between Burma Army and SSPP/SSA, 431 refugees were initially camped at Aung Mangala monastery in Tangyan. Only 30 of them whose villages are far away from the fighting have returned home. It is reported that the refugees who remain at the monastery are still in need of help such as food for their daily living, said the abbot of Aung Mangala monastery. There are also some 600 refugees who are staying with their relatives in and around the town which makes over 1,000 refugees in total.