Myanmar junta airstrike injures TNLA members in northern Shan State

The junta air force attacked Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) fighters in Mongmit Township, northern Shan State on Sunday, breaking a ceasefire that has been in force since January, TNLA spokespersons said. At least three members of the TNLA—a Ta’ang or Palaung ethnic armed organisation based in northern Shan State—were injured in the airstrikes, which occurred at around 4:30pm. The TNLA’s information team claims the bombs fell between Man Ping and Pang Tin villages, just under 24 miles northeast of Mongmit and less than a mile from a TNLA base camp. “There were no battles in Mongmit Township, but they deliberately conducted aerial assaults near our camp. Three of our comrades were critically injured in the junta airstrikes,” a TNLA spokesperson said. The junta’s motive for attacking in an apparent violation of the current ceasefire is unclear. There were no civilian casualties or additional damage reported from the bombing. The TNLA is one of three members of the Brotherhood Alliance along with the ethnically Kokang Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army and the Arakha Army (AA), Rakhine State’s largest ethnic armed organisation, which was called the Arakan Army until rebranding in April of this year. TNLA fighters seen during the Brotherhood Alliance’s Operation 1027 offensive (Photo: Mai Amm La Ngean/Facebook) Earlier this year, Chinese officials brokered talks between the Brotherhood Alliance and Myanmar military in Yunnan Province, China, which concluded with a truce that took effect in northern Shan State in January. However, clashes between the Myanmar military and AA have continued in Rakhine State, where the ceasefire does not apply. The agreement brought a halt to the Brotherhood Alliance’s Operation 1027, a coordinated offensive against the Myanmar military launched in October 2023. During the offensive, the TNLA succeeded in seizing control of seven northern Shan State towns from junta forces: Namkham, Namhsan, Kutkai, Namtu, Manton, Monglon and Mongngawt. The Ta’ang armed organisation also took over at least three military-held outposts in Mongmit Township during Operation 1027. In mid-January, the powerful Kachin Independence Army and its allies launched attacks on junta bases in Mongmit, taking control of a large area of the town, which is strategically important due to its location on the highway connecting Mandalay with Myitkyina, the capital of Kachin State. Junta troops recaptured Mongmit as the alliance of Kachin-led fighters withdrew from the town, which is still under the military regime’s control now. The junta has also maintained five bases in the township, according to the TNLA’s information team. However, the TNLA’s Brigade 3 has maintained an active presence in the township, as has the KIA, which fought fiercely in recent clashes against the junta around four miles east of Mongmit last week.

Myanmar junta airstrike injures TNLA members in northern Shan State

Despite agreeing to suspend hostilities with the TNLA and its allies in northern Shan State in January, the military bombed less than a mile from a TNLA camp in Mongmit Township

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