An interview with Lt-Col Tar Aike Kyaw, Spokesperson of TNLA about the clashes between the military council force and the TNLA.
There is intense fighting between the military council force and Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) in Muse District of Shan State. Till 1 September, tension continues there.
When there is a military tension between two armed forces near Sallant village-tract in Muse Township of Muse District, the military council carries out artillery shelling and aerial strikes with military helicopters. The fighting has resulted in civilian casualties and the destruction of houses.
The Shan News interviewed Lt-Col Tar Aike Kyaw, Spokesperson of the TNLA about why the military council conducts aerial strikes whenever there are clashes, the reason for the current clashes between the military council force and the TNLA and the intensification of fighting.
Q: Please tell me about the situation of the recent battles between the military council force and TNLA in northern Shan State.
A: There were clashes mainly in Muse and Kutkai Townships. There were 21 battles in late August. Yesterday, there was a clash in Namphatkar. Tension mounts in Muse.
Q: How would you comment on the reason for the increase in fighting?
A: Fighting intensifies as the military council steps up its offensive. On 28 and 29 August, the military council fired heavy shells at Namphatkar and Kutkai. The artillery shelling hit civilian houses and resulted in civilian deaths. I have got the news that almost all civilians from Sallant have fled to safer places. The main point is that they are fearful of heavy shells. In fact, there is no fighting in the village. Villagers fled to safer places as heavy shells landed in the village.
Q: Could you tell me the casualties of both armed forces due to the military council’s aerial bombardments in the Sallant battle?
A: I don’t exactly know the number of casualties. The military council suffered casualties. There were no casualties from our side.
Q: How is the TNLA active in Sallant village?
A: Fighting erupted near Khomone village above Kutkai between Kutkai and Muse. Fighting was intense. The military council fired heavy shells into Sallant via the pagoda hill. In addition, it carried out bombardments. There was no return fire from our side. It was a one-sided shooting from the military council. The military council from 105th mile and Lwalthalauk mountain constantly fired heavy shells although there was no battle.
Q: Do you mean that the TNLA column was not in the Sallant village?
A: We did not conduct an offensive in Sallant village. Our force is not present there. There was no fighting as we did not fire back. It was a one-sided battle. We carry out movements as it is our active area. However, we did not fire back.
Q: What would you like to say about the landing of heavy weapons due to a skirmish near Sallant village on 29 August?
A: The main point is fighting took place near Khomone village near Kutkai Township on that day. In that battle, they attacked, and we returned fire. Our force is active in Sallant and Loitaymain. Within three to four days, the military council conducted airstrikes and heavy shelling. We did not fire back. At night on 29 August, we attacked the military camp near Sallant. It did not take long. It was about 10-15 minutes. On 28 August, the military council started firing. On 28 and 29 August, the military council fired heavy shells one-sidedly. This is not an exchange of fighting.
Q: Shelling hit civilian houses and resulted in civilian casualties. What do you want to say about this?
A: The casualties are reported in Sallant and Namphatkar between Muse and Kutkai. The civilian casualties were caused by the military council’s aerial strikes and indiscriminate artillery shelling. The military council carried out targeted attacks on the public whether there was an enemy or not.
Q: How would you like to comment on the military council’s use of the air force in almost every battle?
A: I don’t know why the military council uses the air force. However, the military council’s heavy reliance on the airstrike comes following the military coup. As far as I remember, since 2017, the military council has started conducting aerial strikes when fighting intensifies and it suffers heavy casualties.
Q: In the current situation, could the clash between the TNLA and the military council intensify?
A: As I said before, fighting erupted as the military council started its offensive. There will be more fighting if the military council increases its offensive. The main point is fighting may intensify if the military council continues to fight. There will be no fighting if there is no offensive.
Sent by Shan News