Mai Rupa, Oct 17
The Shan State Progress Party (SSPP) issued a statement on Sunday, condemning and rejecting the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA)’s claims that it has assisted the junta’s military by providing routes during the junta’s offensive in Kyaukme and Hsipaw Townships in northern Shan State.
The SSPP asserted that its troops did not interfere on either side in the battles of Nawnghkio, Kyaukme, and Hsipaw, placing blame on both sides.
The statement clarified that the SSPP troops focused only on civilian relief efforts, assisting internally displaced persons (IDPs) affected by the conflict. The SSPP accused both the junta’s military and the TNLA of initiating battles within SSPP-controlled areas, which severely damaged the lives and property of the local populace.
The statement added that the responsible parties must take responsibility for these losses and provide a resolution.
A day before its statement, Lway Yay Oo, spokesperson of TNLA, has stated that the SSPP is assisting the junta’s military in their offensive attacks on Kyaukme and Hsipaw Townships in northern Shan State.
Lway Yay Oo told Shwe Phee Myay that although the TNLA had established defensive lines in Hsipaw—particularly near Kyin Thee Bridge and in Bawgyo Village—the junta’s military was able to enter Hsipaw town with ease by passing through SSPP-controlled areas.
She stated that the SSPP’s assistance was key to the junta’s success and dded that the TNLA was forced to withdraw its troops from inside Hsipaw town, though TNLA forces remain on the outskirts.
However, the SSPP further stated that the claims made by the TNLA are intended to create confusion between the SSPP and the revolutionary forces, serve as a political attack against the SSPP, and undermine their public organizing efforts.
The SSPP acknowledged that the junta’s offensive to enter Kyaukme was launched by penetrating through Htan Tabin Village, in the Nawng Pein Village Tract, an area controlled by it, but maintained that the SSPP did not interfere.
Regarding with the ongoing junta’s offensives, the TNLA explained that while they want to cooperate with all groups to expel the junta, they are struggling to maintain control of the towns due to a lack of joint effort.
Although the SSPP and TNLA are both members of the Federal Political Negotiation and Consultative Committee (FPNCC) alliance, territorial disputes and some armed clashes have frequently occurred between the two sides since the launch of Operation 1027.
Translated by #KLT
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