KTMphil
Senior member
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| SSA soldiers in training Photo: Shan State Army (SSA) / Facebook |
“Despite the ceasefire agreement with the government, Infantry Division 145 attacked our base with heavy gunfire and an assault by some 100 soldiers,” said Maj. Sai Lao Hseng, the spokesman of the RCSS/SSA, which was previously known as the Shan State Army South.
“We have been actively undertaking anti-drug activities in the area recently in cooperation with local residents,” he said, adding that it was possible the government forces’ attack was linked to drug trafficking.
A Namkham resident told Mizzima that he heard the sound of artillery at around 3 am on Thursday, and that many villagers fled immediately into the urban area of Namkham. Some people headed to the Chinese border, he said.
A medical source said that seven injured soldiers from the Myanmar army were taken to Namkham Hospital for treatment, and three of them were later transferred to Muse Hospital for surgery.
The RCSS/SSA spokesman said that at least 10 government soldiers and one RCSS/SSA soldier were killed during the fighting.
In April, four people believed to be Myanmar government intelligence officials were reported missing in the area, and officials allege that the RCSS/SSA had detained the men. Shortly after the alleged disappearance, a government unit searched a Shan base and then torched it to the ground, according to Sai Lao Hseng.
The RCSS/SSA spokesman said they sent a letter to the Myanmar government’s Peace Making Committee Vice-chairman Minister Aung Min to enquire about the case, but had received no reply.
The Myanmar government and the RCSS/SSA signed a ceasefire agreement in May 2012.
Hostilities resume in Shan State