The Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) has reported ongoing battles in northern Shan State’s Namkham Township, specifically in the villages of Shwe Thone, Kan Gyi, Pinne Kon, and Nyaung Taw, due to military council offensive operations. On June 13th, at approximately 12:20 PM, intense fighting broke out between the military council forces and TNLA in Shwe Thone village, during which the military council launched heavy artillery attacks using 35 shells and conducted 12 drone strikes. Similarly, battles erupted in the Pinne Kon and Nyaung Taw village areas, where the military council forces fired 41 artillery shells and conducted 7 drone strikes.
The previous day, on June 12th, fighting occurred in the Kan Gyi village area, where the military council forces launched 50 artillery shells and conducted 15 drone strikes. Despite the Northern Alliance’s three groups declaring a unilateral ceasefire extension for an additional month to facilitate humanitarian assistance for earthquake-affected civilians, the military council has continued its offensive operations. The TNLA stated that the frequent clashes in Namkham Township are a direct result of the military council taking advantage of the situation and launching continuous attacks, even as the alliance groups had pledged to halt offensive operations in conflict areas to support humanitarian work.
The TNLA has issued warnings to local civilians about the necessity of maintaining constant military vigilance to avoid the military council’s airstrikes and following proper air defense procedures for protection. Despite the military council’s announcement of a ceasefire throughout June for earthquake recovery efforts, they have continued to launch offensive operations in TNLA-controlled areas of Namkham Township, demonstrating that their commitments are merely false promises. The situation has required local residents to remain extremely vigilant against military council air attacks, with the TNLA emphasizing the importance of following security warnings and taking necessary precautions for their safety. The ongoing military operations in the region highlight the military council’s disregard for their own declared ceasefire and the welfare of earthquake-affected civilians, as they continue their aggressive campaign against ethnic armed organizations.
