CNI News
7 May 2025
After the Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) captured 12 townships during Operation 1017, it demanded the creation of a Palaung state, raising questions about the extent of Palaung state's area.
The TNLA Joint Secretary General (2) Col. Tar Pan La responded to a question from CNI News Agency at a press conference on May 4 that it was too early to say anything about the area of Palaung State.
“Whether it is a region or a state, we will have to decide at the next political conference whether it will be a form of a national parliament or a political dialogue that will emerge in the future. Currently, we are taking responsibility for administering and managing 12 townships. We will take care of them for a period of time until another form of public government or the federal democratic government that the whole country is hoping for emerges. The formation of Palaung State will be determined in future political discussions. It is still a bit early to say which territory or which area will be included in Palaung State.” said Col. Tar Pan La.
There are reports that the TNLA aims to gather the townships of Muse, Namkham, Nam Phat Ka, Mong Wee, Kutkai, Theinni, Mantong, Namtu, Nansang, Moemeik, Mong Ngor, Kyaukme, Thibaw, and Naung Cho and establish them as a Palaung state.
While seeing the TNLA
The two-day talks held in Kunming, China, failed after Myanmar Tatmadaw delegation demanded the withdrawal of TNLA forces from the areas of Naung Cho, Kyaukme, Thibaw, Mogok, and Moeik, which were occupied by the TNLA during Operation 1027. The talks, which were held from April 28-29, mediated by China, ended without an agreement, but the TNLA said the two sides agreed to meet again in August.
Regarding the Myanmar military's demand the TNLA to withdraw, the TNLA would continue with its previous stance, said Lwe Ye Oo, spokesperson of the TNLA.
"We have declared a ceasefire until the end of May. Therefore, we will not carry out any offensive operations. At present, we have announced a unilateral ceasefire out of sympathy for the people affected by the earthquake. "The SAC is demanding that we withdraw from Mogok and the other five towns. We cannot agree to this. There is no withdrawal. We will continue to act in accordance with our position." she said.
During Operation 1027, which has lasted for more than 2 years, a ceasefire was reached through negotiations between the Kokang force, the National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) and the Myanmar Tatmadaw but negotiations with the TNLA have not yet been successful.
During the Kunming talks on April 28-29, 2025, the TNLA demanded that both sides stop fighting and cease fire at the places where the forces of the two sides have reached currently, refrain from offensive operations, and cease airstrikes, artillery fire, and drone attacks.
In addition, the TNLA also reportedly requested that both sides allow passage for the transportation of food and medicine for local residents in areas under their control.
