The Burmese army’s East-central Regional Military Command, which oversees military operations in Shan State, has reportedly issued an order to its units to cease hostilities against the Shan State Army-North (SSA-N) ethnic rebels.

The SSA-N’s spokesperson Maj. Sai La told DVB the group was notified about the order on Thursday by the regional military command based in Kolam in southern Shan State’s Loilem district.

“We were phoned by an official from the Kolam-based regional military command informing us of an order to stop exchanging gunfire,” said Sai La, adding that there has been no fighting since.

“However, the government units are yet to withdraw and remain in their original positions,” he said.

The Shan spokesman said the regional military command had set out three conditions to maintain the truce: SSA-N must refrain from setting up military outposts south of the highway connecting Mongnawng and Monghsu; troops from both sides operating along the Union Highway must stop harassing each other’s convoys; both sides must cease gunfire and, in particular, the artillery shelling of rear-guard outposts.

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The SSA-N said it has agreed to the truce, but expressed a desire to hold discussions with the government. It said an SSA-N delegation led by Lt-Col Naw Lek is currently en route to Naypyidaw to meet government officials.

Fighting resumed between government forces and the SSA-N on 6 October, causing the displacement of hundreds of villagers in Monghsu, Mongnawng and Kehsi townships.

The SSA-N is not among the eight armed groups that signed a ceasefire accord with the government on 15 October.

 

Read more about the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement