An interview with SSPP spokesperson Major Phone Han
Since 6 August, fierce fighting has been taking place in Laihka Township between the Shan State Progress Party/Shan State Army (SSPP/SSA) – a non-signatory to the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) – and the Myanmar army.
Prior to these clashes, there was a meeting between the military council’s National Solidarity and Peace Negotiation Committee (NSPNC) and the SSPP in late July. The meeting was followed by the armed confrontation between the two armies.
In this interview with the Shan Herald, Major Phone Han, spokesman for the SSPP, spoke about the fighting that broke out between the two sides after the meeting.
Q – We heard that there was fighting in Laihka Township on the morning of 6 August. Where exactly did this happen?
A – Yes, that’s correct. There was fighting this morning. It broke out in the area around Hohseng village tract in the southeast of Laihka. There’s a lot to say about how the fighting broke out. Our troops happened to reach the Laihka and Mongkung areas as they clashed with the Restoration Council of Shan State (RCSS) troops and were stationed there.
The military council was not happy about that and said “There are no RCSS troops here. Withdraw your troops”. The RCSS troops had repeatedly ambushed us and attacked us with mines. So our troops had to continue to conduct security operations and maintain control of the area to protect our troops and the region.
Unhappy, the Myanmar army has also increased its troop strength. They have also called in reinforcements from the SSS militia and other militias. Then they started firing artillery indiscriminately at our positions. This was indeed a threatening gesture. This morning, clashes occurred in three or four places, including near the villages of Hohseng and Metlan. Both sides are still facing off. The military situation is very tense.
Q – Why is the military council unhappy about SSPP/SSA troops reaching Laihka and Mongnawng?
A – According to what they said, it’s about intruding their territory. But this is something that we should be saying. It is our territory. But they said it to us as if we should ask them back what it really means. To put it in the language of today, it’s up to them.
Q – Was the ongoing fighting in Laihka triggered by the Myanmar army’s offensive?
A – This is not an offensive, but a provocation. We were stationed in that area just like them. If they had maintained the status quo, there would have been no reason for clashes. If they had not come out of their battalions and headquarters, there would have been no clashes between us. But they deliberately advanced and attacked us. They say it is about territorial control. That is what triggered the fighting. We were never the one who attacked them first. An exchange of fire between two forces is to be expected when they enter each other’s territory without prior notice. That is the nature of war.
Q – There were peace talks between the military council and the SSPP in late July. But now they are fighting each other again. Why?
A – This is not a question we are supposed to answer. But there are a lot of things to consider. They are not holding peace talks with armed groups that are involved in fighting, but with those that are not. Instead of holding talks with elected representatives who are really concerned about the constitution, they are talking to the armed groups under the impression that they are willing to change the constitution. This raises the question of whether such talks make any sense at all. From our point of view, the talks don’t make sense. But we have no objection to their talking to the allied forces because it is a process that involves multiple groups.
Q – We heard that during the meeting issues related to the peace conference were also discussed. But the SSPP has not yet responded. Is this the reason for the outbreak of fighting?
A – We haven’t answered yet because as members of the Federal Political Negotiation and Consultative Committee (FPNCC), we haven’t yet decided whether we will participate in the conference. Nevertheless, it is the policy of the FPNCC to do things together. So it wouldn’t be appropriate for us to give a response without a decision representing the position of the entire FPNCC.
So we have decided not to respond until we have consulted with the FPNCC and our military leadership. As for the ongoing armed conflict, these military tensions existed prior to the meeting. These issues were not properly raised or discussed during the meeting. The discussions didn’t result in any meaningful agreement.
Q – In order to get the SSPP/SSA forces to withdraw, the military council has even threatened its aerial power. What is the SSPP’s position on withdrawing or not withdrawing its troops?
A – Unless there is trust, the talks will not yield positive results. The key question is how far we can reduce hostility and provocations. Even if one of the two sides is bent on completely destroying the other, they will somehow come to the negotiating table in the end. Telling us to withdraw our troops is one thing, withdrawing the troops of both sides is another. Withdrawing your troops while you are involved in a fight is not a military custom.
Q – The Myanmar army has used heavy weapons in the fighting. So could the fighting intensify further?
A – That depends on both sides. We already have a policy of resolving problems through dialoge. The reason why the SSA came into being is because of the lack of democracy and the seizure of the constitution. Since our organization has been through a lot in this political arena, the attitude of the side that caused the provocation should be more important in this case. Clashes have also occurred between Shan armed groups before. As General Aung San once said, “If it can be reconciled, then we reconcile, if not, then it must be settled by armed confrontation.” It’s no wonder.
Q – What would you like to say to people about the ongoing fighting in Laihka?
A – I would like to tell people that they have witnessed the atrocities of war to a great extent. We have done our best to avoid harm and losses to the people. Their suffering is our suffering too. Their lack of peace of mind is also our lack of peace of mind. People must understand this. I want to emphasize that our army has always been for the people.
Q – The military situation in northern Shan State seems to be escalating. Is this because the allied forces in the north and the junta can’t reach an agreement?
A – It is difficult to say for sure whether the military situation there is escalating. There are an assortment of groups there. There are also newly emerged groups. Some groups have emerged for business interests, others as proxies. It is a very complicated territorial situation. We can’t assess the situation in general. And it is too early to tell. We have to wait and see.
Q – What else would you like to add?
A – Do not doubt the fact that the SSPP is firmly on the side of the people. I would like to convey this message not only to the people, but also to other groups.
Sent by Shan Herald.