Tatmadaw Scours for RCSS/SSA Troops in Central Shan State

Ten battalions including the battalions under the Tatmadaw’s 33rd Light Infantry Division (LID-33) have been reinforced to search for the RCSS/SSA in Mat Wong, Nam Oke, and Ho Pon villages in Kyethi Township and Ham Ngaing, Ho Hkai, and Ton Laung villages in Mong Kung Township since early July, according to the local residents.

“The military column asked me where the RCSS/SSA was. I was afraid of being beaten if I didn’t answer,” said a village headman who arrived in Kyethi after encountering the military column.

“A clash broke out for around an hour in the morning on the 23rd (July 23). We were only defending ourselves. Around 100 troops from the combined force of two or three Tatmadaw battalions fired at our troops. They told us to retreat to the designated area. The designated area hasn’t been set down yet. We have been active in this area since in the past,” Lt-Col Sai Oo, spokesperson of the RCSS/SSA, told the Shan Herald.

Military reinforcement has been deployed to Kyethi and Minenaung townships on July 24 and the local residents are worried that clashes can break out anytime.

“We try to avoid fighting as much as we can, but there may be shootings if they confront us after reinforcing their troops and coming after us,” said Lt-Col Sai Oo.

Pyithu Hluttaw Sai San Mein from Kyethi Township told the Shan Herald that local residents have returned home since fighting has stopped on July 24 and 25.

“There aren’t clashes anymore. That’s why the internally displaced persons (IDPs) have returned home. They took refuge in Wan Phein Monastery for two days. Our Kyethi Township party even went to donate food supplies yesterday. The