TNLA says ready to negotiate with Myanmar regime to end conflict

The Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) announced on Monday that it is ready to negotiate with Myanmar’s military regime to end their ongoing conflict, citing the impact of junta airstrikes on civilians and China’s mediation efforts. Since launching Operation 1027 in October of last year, the TNLA and its allies have seized control of nearly all of northern Shan State. In response, the military has carried out frequent air raids on towns held by the anti-regime forces, including Lashio, Kutkai, and Nawnghkio. In its statement, the TNLA said it was willing to negotiate an end to the conflict in order to alleviate the suffering of civilians and in consideration of the Chinese government’s ongoing efforts to restore peace. The group also said it recognised China’s efforts and pledged to continue cooperating with Myanmar’s powerful neighbour to resolve the situation on its border. The TNLA further emphasised that it would continue fighting for the liberation of the Ta’ang people until they secured their own state, and would work towards the establishment of a federal system that ensures self-determination. Over the past year, the TNLA has captured a total of 11 towns in northern Shan State, as well as the ruby-mining centre of Mogok in Mandalay Region. On November 12, the group partially suspended the sale of gemstones in Mogok after the town was hit by airstrikes. It also prohibited the use of some telecoms services, citing security concerns. In early September, junta leader Senior General Min Aung Hlaing said during a visit to Shan State that the military “would protect the country’s sovereignty at all costs,” adding that “necessary retaliatory actions” would be taken against armed insurgents. The regime currently controls only three towns in northern Shan State—Muse, on the Myanmar-China border, and Mongyai and Tangyan, which border the territory of the United Wa State Army.In August, the junta relocated its Northeastern Regional Military Command headquarters to Mongyai following the fall of Lashio to the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army, an ethnic Kokang armed group allied to the TNLA.

TNLA says ready to negotiate with Myanmar regime to end conflict

The group pointed to the suffering of civilians and China’s mediation efforts as reasons for its willingness to begin peace talks

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