No escalation of hostilities as yet after Brotherhood Alliance attack on police outpost: TNLA

By DMG 22 Apr 2021

DMG Newsroom
22 April 2021, Sittwe 

There have been no new clashes between the Tatmadaw and members of the Three Brotherhood Alliance after the coalition — consisting of the Arakan Army, Ta’ang National Liberation Army and Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army — attacked a police outpost in northern Shan State on April 10, according to the TNLA information officer. 

“There are no clashes at the moment. However, there are offensive operations, especially reinforcing forces in Muse two weeks ago,” said Major Mai Aik Kyaw, the information officer. 

On January 1, the Three Brotherhood Alliance extended a unilateral ceasefire, but has given indications following the military’s February 1 coup that the members are reconsidering their stance in light of the Tatmadaw’s ongoing, deadly crackdowns on protests against the regime. 

“We formed a revolutionary organisation to eradicate dictatorship. We continuously released unilateral ceasefire declarations. Our troops at the lowest level are following orders [to adhere to the ceasefire],” he said. 

“However, the Tatmadaw violently shot at protestors. The death toll is relatively high. So, we released a statement calling for resolving the affairs in a peaceful way.” 

A Three Brotherhood Alliance statement on March 30 said they would reconsider the unilateral ceasefire declaration if the Tatmadaw does not stop its lethal suppression of the opposition movement. The alliance said its forces would stand with those oppressed. 

The April 10 attack on the Naung Mon police outpost, near the town of Lashio, reportedly killed multiple police officers.