Fighting broke out in Kyethi Township, Loilem District, Shan State between Restoration Council of Shan State (RCSS) / Shan State Army – South and Shan State Progress party (SSPP) / Shan State Army – North; Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) & United Wa State Army (UWSA) troops reportedly is in the fight as well.
According to local media and CBOs, fighting continued in Kyethi Township yesterday, June 30, between RCSS & SSPP (plus TNLA & UWSA troops allegedly in the mix). Thousands have been displaced in the area since earlier in June.
The intro of UWSA troops is notable, and has been reported on by Mizzima and others, but the SSPP has denied their involvement. Interestingly, on June 27, an op-ed in Shan News, written anonymously but likely by someone within RCSS, stated……that a Chinese diplomat, speaking about the RCSS’s presence in NSS, told an RCSS rep “If the SSPP can’t make you withdraw, we have other ways to make it happen.” Obvi needs to be take with a grain of salt considering the (likely) source…
But if the UWSA is the ‘other ways’ referenced, then Shan is looking at a potentially significant escalation in conflict, as UWSA has the men & gear to engage the RCSS at scale. Another nightmare for civilians in these areas of Shan State. End.