The Irrawaddy Magazine

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• Ma Ba Tha Calls Off Anti-Govt Protests
• ANP to Address Local Issues With Burma’s Vice President
• Govt to Release Census Data on Religion
• Rangoon’s Martyrs’ Monument Revamped to Highlight Aung San
• 100-Cinema Plan Begins Pilot Project
• UN Conducts Last Call for Burmese Refugees Hoping to Resettle in US
• Suu Kyi Will Chair Government Peace Center
• Ten Things to Do in Rangoon This Week (July 12)
• Apartment Sales Slump Following Construction Crackdown
• Villagers Fleeing Conflict Reach Hsipaw, Northern Shan State

Ma Ba Tha Calls Off Anti-Govt Protests Posted: 12 Jul 2016 06:05 AM PDT Leading Ma Ba Tha monks release a public statement on Tuesday calling for their supporters across the country not to stage protests against the government, after previously calling for demonstrations after the ultranationalist organization was criticized by Rangoon Division Chief Minister Phyo Min Thein. (Photo: Myo Min Soe / The Irrawaddy) RANGOON — Buddhist nationalist group Ma Ba Tha has urged its followers not to stage planned nationwide protests in response to criticism of the organization from the Rangoon Division chief minister, saying that they no longer take his comments seriously. The request came two days before the association's deadline to Burmese President Htin Kyaw and State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi to take action against Rangoon Chief Minister Phyo Min Thein after he described the ultranationalist association as "unnecessary" to the country. Wirathu, a leading Buddhist monk within Ma Ba Tha—which is the Burmese acronym for its full name, the Association for the Protection of Race and Religion—told the media after a press conference on July 7 that if the government did not respond before Thursday, July 14, Ma Ba Tha members across the nation would organize demonstrations. On Tuesday, Sopaka, another Ma Ba Tha senior monk, cryptically echoed this claim to The Irrawaddy, stating that if Phyo Min Thein's comments did, in fact, represent government policy, then Ma Ba Tha "would do what it had to do." However, in a directive also released on Tuesday, Ma Ba Tha said that they had learned that Phyo Min Thein's comments had been made independently and did not necessarily reflect a government stance concerning the organization. "Thura Aung Ko, Union Minister for Religious Affairs and Culture, told the media on July 9 that 'we don't have any particular comments [regarding what Phyo Min Thein said], as he was expressing his opinion. In a democracy, everyone has a right to a different opinion,'" the statement said. "We have learned that [the sentiment that] 'Ma Ba Tha is not necessary' is just [held] by Phyo Min Thein and is not state policy. So we see it as Phyo Min Thein's freedom of expression and we no longer take what he said seriously," the group added, concluding that Ma Ba Tha branches across Burma need not organize anti-government demonstrations. Phyo Min Thein recently met with the leading monks of the Sangha Maha Nayaka, a committee appointed by the government to oversee Buddhist monastic discipline, in which the chief minister reportedly further explained his criticism of Ma Ba Tha. Documents which appeared to have been created in preparation for an upcoming two-day meeting of senior Sangha Maha Nayaka members recently went viral online, revealing that they too had denounced the existence of Ma Ba Tha. Yet The Irrawaddy could not independently verify the authenticity of these documents and Tun Nyunt, the director for Rangoon Division's department of religion, was not available for comment. Phyo Min Thein's criticism has widened a division between those who agreed with his stance against Ma Ba Tha and those loyal to the nationalist organization. His supporters see Ma Ba Tha as a group trying to derail the new government's plans by instigating conflict between Buddhist and Muslim communities, while the group's loyalists see it as the guardian of the Buddhism. Since it was founded in 2014, Ma Ba Tha has garnered international notoriety for its hardline anti-Muslim stance, and has been condemned by rights groups as having propagated hate speech. In 2015, Ma Ba Tha successfully lobbied for the passing of four laws imposing restrictions on religious conversion, polygamy, interfaith marriage and childbirth. Critics have described these "Protection of Race and Religion" measures as discriminating against both women and religious minorities. The post Ma Ba Tha Calls Off Anti-Govt Protests appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

ANP to Address Local Issues With Burma’s Vice President Posted: 12 Jul 2016 05:26 AM PDT Arakan State’s Chief Minister Nyi Pu and Border and Security Affairs Minister Htein Lin welcome Snr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing at the Sittwe airport.  (Photo: Mara Yu) RANGOON – The Arakan National Party (ANP) will deliver an open letter highlighting local concerns to Vice President Henry Van Thio during a meeting on Wednesday morning with residents in Mrauk U, according to an Arakan State parliamentarian. The letter will address a number of issues: the excavation of ditches and tunnels that are filled with rubbish and soil from rice mill production; the supervision of businessmen operating in the state; the announcement of local projects before they begin; the need for new bridges; and the demolition of a railroad which runs through a designated Mrauk U archeological zone. Mrauk U lawmaker Htun Tha Sein said, "The railroad is like a water reservoir. It stores gallons of water, which later overflow during the rainy season and make their way into the city. That's why we want to abolish the railroad." Kyaw Lwin, the divisional minister of forestry, mining, agriculture and livestock, told The Irrawaddy that flooding has driven over 20,000 people from their homes in July, and the ministry has opened over 100 temporary camps for those displaced by natural disasters. Three bridges have been damaged in this month's floods and one man has died. He said the state government has provided about 1,200 bags of rice—which would last for one month—and that the army has aided flood victims as well. But the state government has no plans for resettlement nor a sufficient budget to do so. "The flooding is not as bad as it was last year. Everyone can return when the water recedes," Kyaw Lwin said. On Tuesday morning, Burma Army's Snr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing accompanied relief flights to Arakan State's capital of Sittwe and brought emergency food and provisions. Mrauk U residents waited at a local monastery on Tuesday morning upon hearing from township administrators that Min Aung Hlaing would arrive, but the army chief did not show. According to a government bureaucrat who asked to remain anonymous, the senior-general will visit Mrauk U and Kyauktaw townships on Wednesday, and then continue to Ann and Thandwe townships. The post ANP to Address Local Issues With Burma's Vice President appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Govt to Release Census Data on Religion Posted: 12 Jul 2016 04:50 AM PDT A volunteer collects census data in Arakan State. (Photo: Reuters) RANGOON — Data from Burma's 2014 census on the populations of the country's religious groups will be released this month, a ministry spokesperson has announced. Myint Kyaing, the permanent secretary within the Ministry of Labor, Immigration and Population, told The Irrawaddy on Tuesday that the religious data will be ready for publication in late July, but data on ethnic populations will continue to be withheld. Due to ongoing debates, figures on Burma's religious and ethnic makeup were delayed from publication with the other census results in May of 2015, which revealed the total population to be more than 51 million. "We delayed at that time since we needed [to perform] more analysis and consultation. But now, since we have finished it all, we plan to publish [the results]," Myint Kyaing said. He said that the figures will reveal the population of each religious group in the country, as well as at the state and divisional level. "I don't think the figure will become an issue. I hope the data will support mutual understanding and respect in building a peaceful society and the development of the states and divisions," he said, adding that, "There was not much significant change from 1983 census." Burma is home to animists, Buddhists, Christians, Hindus and Muslims. One highly anticipated forthcoming figure is that of the country's Muslim minority; the 1983 census reported that Muslims constituted 4 percent of the population in the Buddhist-majority country, but this percentage is believed by some to be a low estimation. In addition, an estimated 1.3 million Rohingya Muslims in western Burma were not enumerated in the 2014 census; a 1982 law– which narrows citizenship eligibility along ethnic lines– excludes the Rohingya from recognition as one of the country’s ethnic groups; the law, as currently implemented, forces those in unrecognized groups to prove family residency over three generations, which is very difficult for most to prove, since the vast majority of people in Burma went without documents prior to laws introduced in 1951 requiring registration. Myint Kyaing, said that the ethnic data from the census is expected to be released after four or five months as further statistical analysis is reportedly required, as are consultations with ethnic leaders and Burma's ethnic affairs ministry and committee. The census was conducted in March and April of 2014, and marked the first attempt to carry out a nationwide population count in more than three decades. The massive data set includes demographic characteristics and living conditions, detailing population size and growth, age and sex, marital status, migration, births and deaths, education, employment, disability, and housing conditions and amenities in each of Burma's 330 townships. Correction: This story originally stated that a 1982 law precluded the Rohingya from citizenship. It has since been updated to instead illustrate how the law has been used to deny citizenship to ethnic groups not “recognized” under the controversial statute.  The post Govt to Release Census Data on Religion appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Rangoon’s Martyrs’ Monument Revamped to Highlight Aung San Posted: 12 Jul 2016 04:45 AM PDT Renovations underway at the Martyrs' Monument in Rangoon, where independence hero Aung and his eight murdered colleagues are interred. (Photo: Pyay Kyaw / The Irrawaddy) RANGOON — Those who have previously visited the Martyrs' Monument, sited just north of Rangoon's Shwedagon Pagoda, should be prepared for a surprise on July 19, Martyrs Day—the anniversary of the assassination of independence hero Aung San and eight of his comrades in 1947. The big white pointed star will be found missing from the upper left corner of the large red structure, which marks where Aung San and his eight comrades are interred. The exact spot where the star hung for the last three decades will have been hollowed out. Those wondering where the star has gone need walk only a few meters beyond the mausoleum to find it half sunk into the ground. "The fallen star symbolizes Gen Aung San and his colleagues. The hollow in the structure represents that they are gone and we have lost them," said Sun Oo, one of the leading architects who designed the structure nearly thirty years ago. Why these new design ideas after all these years? The 61-year old architect said they are not new but were part of the original design proposed by his team. Renovations underway at the Martyrs' Monument in Rangoon, where independence hero Aung and his eight murdered colleagues are interred. (Photo: Pyay Kyaw / The Irrawaddy) "The construction team at the time ignored some points in our design under various pretexts," Sun Oo recalled. More importantly, he was ordered by the government of the time, led by the military-socialist dictator Ne Win, not to highlight Aung San or his comrades in his design. "We were not allowed to reflect the identities of those interred there," he said. As a result, Sun Oo has never felt pride over his work.  "The mausoleum lacks the spirit it should have conveyed," he said. For these reasons, he had never visited the site until last month, when he was invited by the National League for Democracy-led government to oversee the revamp in the design of the mausoleum, in preparation for this year's Martyrs Day, on July 19, when the government will stage its annual commemoration ceremony at the mausoleum. Aside from the repositioning of the star, red granite slabs to be used as name plaques for those interred have recently arrived from China. The flagstaff is being repositioned from the top-middle to the right of the mausoleum, in accordance with the original design. Another architect from the original design team is working on billboards that will bear photos and bios of the independence heroes. "They will be planted alongside the lane leading to the mausoleum. Some of Gen Aung San's famous quotes will be printed on them," said the architect Maw Lin, before explaining that the billboards were only temporary. Renovations underway at the Martyrs' Monument in Rangoon, where independence hero Aung and his eight murdered colleagues are interred. (Photo: Pyay Kyaw / The Irrawaddy) "In our original design, we included space for such things. This year, we are running out of time. That's why we can only arrange temporary displays," he added. Sun Oo said the renovated mausoleum matches 95 percent of the original design. It still lacks features such as a museum about the leaders, which will "happen later." This is the first renovation of the mausoleum since its completion in 1985. After the 1988 military coup, the junta declared the site off-limits to the public, for fear of public gatherings contributing to unrest. The reformist military-backed administration of President Thein Sein, inaugurated in 2011, allowed public participation in the annual ceremony at the mausoleum. President Htin Kyaw, consistent with his predecessor Thein Sein, will not be attending this year's ceremony at the mausoleum. State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi will be attending, as she has done in previous years. The post Rangoon's Martyrs' Monument Revamped to Highlight Aung San appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

100-Cinema Plan Begins Pilot Project Posted: 12 Jul 2016 04:38 AM PDT Moviegoers wait inside Thamada Cinema in downtown Rangoon. (Photo: Pyay Kyaw / The Irrawaddy) RANGOON — A US$20 million cinema plan has started its pilot project in Rangoon's Taik Kyi and southern Shan State's Aungban townships, according to private cinema developer Maze Co., Ltd. The project is financially backed by the conglomerate KBZ Group, which will cover construction expenses and land acquisition, said former actor and Maze Co. Ltd. chair Lwin Moe, at a signing ceremony between the developer and Clover Solution Myanmar—the authorized installation company for the Brussels-based technology company Barco—for a deal to install cinema equipment at the movie theaters, on Monday. "Nowadays, film producers are struggling due to the lack of movie theaters," said Lwin Moe, referring to a system that makes film production companies queue to be shown at box offices, sometimes waiting more than two years. Representatives from the Maze Co. Ltd., met with information minister Pe Myint last month, outlining the company's business plan to build 100 cinemas throughout the country within the next two years. Although the 100-cinema project aims to operate movie theaters in small towns and cities where there currently are none, the commercial capital Rangoon will enjoy 24 new cinemas as the largest benefactor of the initiative. Irrawaddy and Mandalay divisions will receive 19 and 15 cinemas respectively and at least one cinema will be built in every state and division including the ethnic Kachin, Kayah, Kayin and Chin states. The number of theaters around the country has declined to just 49 from its peak of more than 200, and only 27 theaters are ministry-owned, according to the information ministry's Motion Picture Development Branch (MPDB). After what insiders describe as the industry's "golden era" from the 1950s until the 1970s, Burma's once-grand cinema halls were sold off to the private sector and torn down for other purposes or were privatized in the 1990s as part of the government's economic policy. Lwin Moe said at the ceremony that the project seeks to strengthen the country's stagnating film industry and will attract audiences with high-quality movie theaters. The developer said that each cinema will have 316 seats, featuring a Dolby digital sound system. The post 100-Cinema Plan Begins Pilot Project appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

UN Conducts Last Call for Burmese Refugees Hoping to Resettle in US Posted: 12 Jul 2016 04:27 AM PDT Umpiem Mai refugee camp near Mae Sot by the Burmese border in western Thailand, which accommodates more than 20,000 people displaced by conflict in Burma. August 2015. (Photo: Tin Htet Paing / The Irrawaddy) RANGOON — The United Nation's (UN) refugee agency, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), is conducting a "last call" resettlement initiative for Burmese refugees living in Thailand who wish to resettle in the United States. The initiative will allow unregistered refugees to reunite with their immediate families in the United States. Typically, refugees who have not registered with the UNHCR are not eligible for third country resettlement. "This is a one-time exercise taking place only in July," said UNHCR senior field coordinator Iain Hall. "It is a last chance for a previously identified group of individuals who had already indicated interest in joining their immediate families in the US," he said. The initiative is being carried out in nine camps in Thailand where an estimated 120,000 Burmese refugees live. The UNHCR will prepare a submission to the Thai government for their consideration; however, this initiative is not part of the refugee repatriation process, according to the agency. Hall said that the purpose of this activity was to reconfirm their intention to resettle, but the process does not guarantee their registration by the Thai government and therefore does not guarantee resettlement. Eligible unregistered refugees are those whose immediate family members—such as spouses or minor children—were registered refugees who resettled in the US group resettlement program that ended in 2013. Vivian Tan, a UNHCR spokeswoman, told The Irrawaddy that registered refugees could still apply for resettlement, but that interest in third country resettlement had declined in this group over the years. The post UN Conducts Last Call for Burmese Refugees Hoping to Resettle in US appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Suu Kyi Will Chair Government Peace Center Posted: 12 Jul 2016 03:00 AM PDT Members of the Joint Ceasefire Monitoring Committee met with State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi in Naypyidaw in April. (Photo: Hein Htet / The Irrawaddy) RANGOON — State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi will chair the government peace negotiation body, the National Reconciliation and Peace Center (NRPC), as part of her stated prioritization of peace and national reconciliation. The NRPC, formally known as the Myanmar Peace Center (MPC) under the previous military-backed government, was reorganized by Suu Kyi in May when she replaced several key people who had ties to the Burma Army with civilians. According to an announcement by the President Office's on Monday, Suu Kyi was appointed chairperson of the NRPC while State Counselor's Office Minister Kyaw Tint Swe and government peace negotiator Tin Myo Win were appointed deputy chairmen. Burma Army representatives from the Ministry of Defense including Lt-Gen Yar Pyae, Lt-Gen Min Naung and minister of border affairs Lt-Gen Ye Aung also serve as members of the NRPC. The announcement stated that the NRPC's purpose was to set policies and guidelines for national reconciliation and the peace process. The center also coordinates with donors and paves the way for participation and cooperation between government bodies, Parliament, the military, ethnic armed groups, civil society organizations, the international community, and local and foreign experts. The NRPC will form and appoint a technical board and support team to aid their work. The 11-member NRPC also includes the ethnic affairs minister, Union Attorney General Tun Tun Oo, commanders from the Ministry of Defense's Bureau of Special Operations 2 and 4, and the chairpersons of the Upper and Lower Houses' ethnic affairs committees. The post Suu Kyi Will Chair Government Peace Center appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Ten Things to Do in Rangoon This Week (July 12) Posted: 12 Jul 2016 02:13 AM PDT The Irrawaddy picks 10 interesting events happening in Rangoon this week. Yangoods Season 2 Yangoods, a distributor of vintage Burmese souvenirs, will launch its second seasonal range on Friday, showcasing a new collection of fashion, décor, art and gifts. Products from its previous season will be on sale at a pop-up shop at the event, which will also feature a "vintage photo booth." Where: Yangon Gallery, People's Park, Bahan Tsp. When: Friday, July 17, 1pm to 5pm Youth Forum The American Center in Rangoon hosts its monthly "youth forum" on Wednesday. This session will focus on "The Power of Youth in Civil Rights Movements," with the objective of encouraging youth voices in social change and peaceful transitions of power. Enquire at RangoonAC@State.gov. Where: American Center, No. 14 Tawwin Road, Dagon Tsp. When: Wednesday, July 13, 4:30 pm to 6 pm Jazz Music and Dinner The Rendez-Vous, the restaurant located in the garden of Rangoon's French Institute, hosts live Jazz music every Wednesday. Where: The Rendez-Vous – Institut Français de Birmanie, No. 340 Pyay Road, Sanchaung Tsp. When: Every Wednesday, 7:30 pm to 11:30 pm Myanmar Training Development Expo 2016 Myanmar Training Development Expo (MTDE) 2016 is an inaugural "learning exhibition" which will showcase products and services ranging across "vocational training and consultancy services, academic programs and digital technology solutions" in two developing industries: tourism and retail. More information can be found at www.mtde.com.mm. Where: Tatmadaw Hall, U Wirasa Road, Dagon Tsp. When: Thursday, July 14 to Saturday, July 16, 10 am to 6 pm Yangon Innovation Night Yangon Innovation Night returns with a networking and free drinks session. The free event will feature talks by guest speakers from the World Wildlife Fund and Myanmar Future Science, and an open discussion with Jerry J Chan, entrepreneur and co-founder of May Kha Ventures, which invests in "promising early-stage companies." Sign up at bit.ly/officecubed ; registration open until July 13. Where: Officecubed, 52/54 Yadanar Thukha Street, enter from Pagoda Street, Laydaungkan Road, Thingangyun Tsp. Tel: 09-5103084 When: Thursday, July 14, 6 pm to 9 pm Brunch Party Carlsberg and Immortal Titans Restaurant have partnered to host what they deem "the best brunch party in town" on Sunday. Brunch will be served from 12pm to 3pm with free flowing Carlsberg beer. Places and table reservations are limited; US$20 per person. The Carlsberg Day Party will then start at 3 pm; entry is free. Where: Immortal Titans Restaurant, No. 49 Moekaung Road, Yankin Tsp. Tel: 01-578739 When: Sunday, July 17, 12 pm to 3 pm   Aung Naing Maung Solo Exhibition Artist Aung Naing Maung will showcase his 12th solo exhibition, featuring around 30 paintings priced between US$100 and $3,000. Where: Lokanat Gallery, 62 Pansodan St, 1st Floor, Kyauktada Tsp. Tel. 095-1382-269 When: Friday, July 15 to Tuesday, July 19 Group Exhibition: The Outdoor Days Exhibition featuring more than 100 works in different mediums by more than 20 artists. Where: Ayerwon Art Gallery, No. 903/904, U Ba Kyi Street, 58 Ward, Dagon Seikkan Tsp. Tel: 09-45005 7167 When: Saturday, July16 till Wednesday, July 27 Tuesday Gathering at Pansodan Gallery Every Tuesday evening, Pansodan Gallery hosts an informal party where beer is served.  It provides a space to meet new people while admiring a rotating selection of contemporary Burmese paintings. Where: Pansodan Gallery, 144 Pansodan St, Kyauktada Tsp. When: Every Tuesday evening, 7 pm onwards Game Night The Novotel hosts pool, football and dart tournaments every Wednesday, with awards and gift vouchers for winners. Where: Novotel Yangon Max, 459 Pyay Rd, Kamayut Tsp. When: Every Wednesday, 6 pm   The post Ten Things to Do in Rangoon This Week (July 12) appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Apartment Sales Slump Following Construction Crackdown Posted: 12 Jul 2016 12:43 AM PDT High-rise construction can be seen in the distance behind the Olympic Tower in downtown Rangoon. (Photo: Myo Min Soe / The Irrawaddy) RANGOON — The market for high-rise apartments in Rangoon has slowed after the Rangoon Division government suspended construction and failed to clarify its new policies to developers, industry sources have said. The divisional government and the Yangon City Development Committee (YCDC)—Rangoon's municipal authority—suspended construction in May on more than 80 high-rises (classified as buildings with nine stories or more) that had not been given final approval before construction began. "Apartment sales are down the past two months because it is an uncertain time for investors," said Thant Zin Hein, managing director of Nay Kabar Construction. Buyers typically put at least 20 percent down while construction is ongoing. While construction is stalled, buyers remain hesitant to invest. "I can honestly say that this is the worst year for us," Thant Zin Hein said. High-rise buildings in Rangoon are often high-end properties, which sell for more than US$85,000. The divisional government and the YCDC have not clarified their polices, and developers have lost clients' trust and expect to lose profits as they continue to pay back their bank loans during the suspension period. "We can't even offer our rooms at low prices because we don't know when the government will let us restart construction," Thant Zin Hein said. Myo Myint, managing director of MKT Construction Co., was forced to stop construction on five projects in Rangoon. "Buyers think it is even risky to buy finished apartments in these buildings because there is still not permission from the authorities for anyone to live there," he said. He added that the YCDC and an investigative committee had reviewed about 12 buildings under construction so far, but there was no further news. "Construction will not resume on high-rises until the government sets better policies," he said. Developers cite many problems following the crackdown on construction including labor issues, complaints from buyers, delays on repaying bank loans, cash flow problems and lack of business for construction suppliers. Zaw Zaw, a senior manager at Unity real estate agency said apartment sales had begun cooling down last year, long before the construction halt, when well-known local developer Kyaw Myint faced fraud charges. "Prices have been dropping, as supply is higher than demand. They are down about 20-25 percent," he said. According to the YCDC, the previous Rangoon divisional government and municipal council had given "initial approval" for proposals to build 204 high-rises from 2013 to March 31 this year. The post Apartment Sales Slump Following Construction Crackdown appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Villagers Fleeing Conflict Reach Hsipaw, Northern Shan State Posted: 12 Jul 2016 12:37 AM PDT Ethnic Palaung fleeing conflict find shelter in a monastery in the town of Hsipaw, northern Shan State. (Photo: PSLF/TNLA) RANGOON — More than three hundred ethnic Palaung (Ta'ang) displaced by conflict in their village between rival non-state armed groups the Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) and the Shan State Army-South (SSA-S) arrived in the town of Hsipaw in northern Shan State over the weekend. Those displaced had come form Ohn Mu village in rural Hsipaw Township, according to Nyo Nyo Myat, a senior member of the Ta'ang Women's Organization, which has been assisting them in their basic needs. "The SSA-S was based inside their village. The TNLA attacked them from outside. All villagers have fled," said Nyo Nyo Myat, adding that, "They could not bring anything. They just have one set of clothes each." A total of 339 people arrived on Sunday in Hsipaw. Some villagers had reached the town on July 7, and stayed in a monastery with insufficient food, according to Nyo Nyo Myat. The chief minister of Shan State has distributed 10 million kyats (US$8,475) in relief funds, which has allowed for some food distribution. Since Thursday, fighting has broken out almost every day in northern Shan State between the TNLA and the SSA-S (known also by its political wing, the Restoration Council of Shan State). The TNLA have said they have been mounting an offensive to oust units of the SSA-S occupying their "territory" in rural areas of Kyaukme, Namtu, Mongton and Hsipaw townships. TNLA deputy chairman Tar Jode Jar said both sides have suffered casualties in recent days. He mentioned a TNLA attack on an SSA-S base on July 4, where two of his troops were killed, as well as the deaths of nine SSA-S soldiers in an unspecified area of Kyaukme Township. Fighting between the TNLA and the SSA-S, based largely on competing territorial claims, first broke out in late November and quickly spread across Kyaukme, Namhsan, Mongton and Namhkam townships of northern Shan State. After a lull, the conflict reached a new level of intensity in February, starting in Namkham Township but spreading further, and has displaced several thousand people from rural areas. The TNLA has accused the SSA-S of receiving the covert support of the Burma Army in its operations, a claim the SSA-S has repeatedly denied. The RCSS/SSA-S signed the nationwide ceasefire agreement with the previous government in October last year, and has since enjoyed closer relations with Burma's military. The TNLA, however, was excluded from signing the ceasefire accord—and their participation in the Union Peace Conference scheduled for later August remains uncertain, barring unilateral disarmament as previously demanded by Burma's military. The post Villagers Fleeing Conflict Reach Hsipaw, Northern Shan State appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

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