Statement by the PSLF/TNLA | March 11, 2016

The Palaung State Liberation Front strongly condemns the targeting of innocent civilians by Myanmar Tatmadaw in its attacks, with the intention of escalating offensives, in Kyaukme, Momeik, Mogok, Namtsan, Manton, Namtu, Namkham, Kutkai etc. of the Ta’ang Region.

After continuously sending war weapons, draft horses and military forces by over 500 fully loaded trucks, Myanmar Tatmadaw advanced nonstop towards the mountain ranges, where our Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) operates, and carries out scorched-earth clearance unceasingly.

The PSLF/TNLA is managing and performing military matters with great caution so that in such a sensitive period of political transition the escalation of clashes will not affect the progress of political development. The various battalions and units in the fields have been instructed through the chain of command to avoid and to reduce contacts and battles, as much as possible, apart from necessary acts of selfdefense, even when Myanmar Tatmadaw is launching offensive with overwhelmingly large force.

In a situation where the guerilla warfare of Ta’ang Army is difficult to be crushed, the Ta’ang local populations are started to be targeted by Myanmar Tatmadaw, in order to escalate clashes in Ta’ang Region. Myanmar Tatmadaw troops fire 81 mm, 105 mm, 120 mm etc. heavy weapons into villages, ransack and burn down homes, loot and destroy properties of the local populations, shoot at local people, commit arrest and torture etc., violating all kinds of human rights, like in the mannerof outlaws.

Myanmar Tatmadaw is carrying out militarist acts with the intention of escalating war by forced marching many military columns for attacks to the jungles and hills where the Ta’ang Army forces are thought to be present, fires heavy weapons excessively, launching air strikes etc. As a result of Myanmar military leaders’ desire for military domination of Myanmar politics and their militarism, hundreds of lower level Myanmar Tatmadaw members lost their lives, just in the first week of March, in our Ta’ang Region.

Accordingly, we, the Palaung State liberation Front (PSLF/TNLA), issue this statement, urging the political parties, the ethnic armed resistance organizations and the civil society organizations to be wary seriously of the current Myanmar Tatmadaw’s warmongering and to carry out Myanmar political actions synchronously and collectively, in order to be able to carry out definitely the Myanmar Union’s peace affairs and comprehensive developments, under the rule of the new civilian government, which will come into being in the near future.

Central Executive Committee

Palaung State Liberation Front PSLF/TNLA

Download this statement (PDF) in English | Burmese

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