Shan and Kokang forces hold talks to end territorial fighting

Two major ethnic armed groups active in northern Shan State held talks earlier this week to discuss territorial control issues in Lashio and Hsipaw townships, according to one of the groups. The meeting between the Shan State Progress Party/Shan State Army (SSPP/SSA) and the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) took place on Tuesday in Thanlwin, a village in Lashio Township, the MNDAA said in a statement. “The MNDAA has no desire to have conflicts with other ethnic groups, and has no intention to oppress [other] armed groups,” the statement from the ethnic Kokang armed group said. According to the MNDAA, the two sides agreed to enhance mutual communication for conflict resolution, establish a high-level communication and coordination mechanism, and appoint liaison officers. The SSPP/SSA has not yet issued any news release regarding the discussions. The MNDAA delegation was led by the group’s deputy chief of staff, Maj-Gen Peng De Jun, and the general secretary of the Special Region 1 Administrative Committee, Maj-Gen Song Kecheng, while the SSPP/SSA team was headed by Gen Nai Pa. The United Wa State Army (UWSA) also sent representatives, led by Bao Ni Guo, the front line deputy commander of the group’s Battalion 710, according to the MNDAA. The SSPP/SSA, based in the village of Wanhai in central Shan State, is active in Kyaukme, Hsipaw, Nawnghkio, Hseni (Hsenwi), Namkham, Lashio, Mongyai and Tangyan townships, in the north of the state. Since launching Operation 1027 in late 2023, the MNDAA and its allies have captured large swathes of northern Shan State, resulting in tensions with the SSPP/SSA. On April 28, fighting began after MNDAA forces demanded the removal of SSPP/SSA camps in the villages of Namma, Konbaung, and Nanang in Hsipaw township. The next day, the two sides clashed for nearly two hours near Tinhai and Humi, two other villages in Hsipaw Township, and the MNDAA attacked a camp under SSPP/SSA control. Top leaders from both sides met in the UWSA-controlled town of Panghsang in early May to discuss the outbreak of hostilities, but no resolution was reached. On June 1, fighting near the village of Narlai in Lashio township resulted in eight deaths on the MNDAA side, bringing tensions to their highest point. To resolve the situation, they met again and agreed to stop fighting and establish a high-level communication and coordination mechanism, according to MNDAA. A Shan youth leader based in Lashio said that there has been no official announcement yet regarding the results of Tuesday’s meeting. “If both sides have agreed, the results should be announced with both armies’ official seals. Since it’s not like that yet, I think we’ll have to wait and see,” he said.

Shan and Kokang forces hold talks to end territorial fighting

The meeting comes amid a series of deadly clashes between the two sides in northern Shan State in recent months

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