TNLA issued ‘fake news’ about seizing outposts: RCSS/SSA
Following
a statement by the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA), claiming that it had
seized bases belonging to the Restoration Council of Shan State/Shan State Army
(RCSS/SSA), the RCSS has responded, denying the claim and labeling it “fake
news.”
The
TNLA’s News and Information Department published on its Facebook page on
November 24 a report that it had captured RCSS/SSA mountain outposts in Mantong
Township in the Palaung [Ta’ang] Self-Administered Zone.
“There were
nine remaining RCSS outposts in Montong,” read the TNLA statement. “At about 6pm
on November 23, those remaining bases were captured, including the outposts at Mawnoe,
Namhai and Mawni.”
But according
to Lt-Col Sai Nguen, the RCSS/SSA spokesperson, the information published by
the TNLA was incorrect. He said that his group had not been active in that area
for a long time, and that no fighting was currently taking place.
“It’s fake
news,” he said. “How can our group fight with them when we are no longer active
in the area?”
The Shan
rebel spokesman added: “We moved out of that area because we wanted to avoid confrontations
with them [TNLA].”
Following a series of clashes between two ethnic militias,
other armed groups have urged them to hold talks and find peaceful ways to end
the fighting. However, no such meeting has yet been held.
Clashes between the RCSS/SSA and the TNLA (also referred to
as the Palaung Army) first broke out
in November 2015, only a month after eight ethnic armed groups including the
RCSS/SSA signed a Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement with the Burmese government.
The TNLA was excluded from the accord by Naypyidaw.
Earlier
this week, the TNLA, in a joint operation alongside its allies the Arakan Army
(AA), Kachin Independence Army (KIA) and Myanmar National Democratic Alliance
Army (MNDAA), launched offensives against Burmese
government forces
in northern parts of Shan State, including Muse, Namkham and Kutkai townships.
“As they
[TNLA] are currently engaged against the Burmese army, it is not true to say
that they are fighting with us,” said the RCSS/SSA Peace
Team Secretary Lt-Col
Sai Nguen. “They cannot launch an offensive against us at the same time.”
Shan
Herald attempted to reach TNLA for comment, but has yet to receive a response.
Tags: News, War
