He said in the latest clash the TNLA attacked RCSS troops on January 19 in Totsan village tract in Kyaukme Township.

The two armies also clashed on January 18 in Kyaukme and Thepaw, he said.

“We’ve never started a fight until now. And we never take them as our enemy. But they ambushed us at least 10 times. Since the first attack, we asked them why. We also based in this region. We demanded a meeting. But no reply returned and fighting has continued,” said Sai Mein.

At a meeting last December of the United Nationalities Federal Council, the RCSS asked the TNLA to release detained civilians and why it had attacked but received no response, said Sai Mein.

“The nationwide ceasefire agreement was signed between armed groups and the government. But there is no agreement between the groups themselves. But there were no big problems between the groups and they’re not each other’s enemies. We have no plan to fight each other. But we don’t see the agreement as a cause for conflict between us,” said Sai Mein.