Namhsan Town in northern Shan State
Mizzima
The Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) announced that it took control of Namhsan Town in northern Shan State on 15 December.
The TNLA started its assault on the junta forces in Namhsan Town on 10 December and by 3:00 p.m. on 15 December the TNLA had occupied all the junta army bases in the town, which had previously been occupied by Light Infantry Division 101 and forces under its command.
Lieutenant Colonel Tar Aik Kyaw, a spokesperson for the TNLA said: “We can say that the TNLA has taken over Namhsan. There are no more Military Council soldiers in the town. After the seizure on 15 December, the soldiers of the Military Council fled. On 16 December, there was an encounter with about 20 junta soldiers who had fled. As for the rest, there are no more offensive attacks from the Military Council.”
Over 60 junta soldiers were killed and 64 people were captured during the assault on Namhsan, according to the TNLA. Of the captured people 30 were junta soldiers, three were junta soldiers’ family members, six were police officers and a further 25 were police officers’ family members. Mizzima has been unable to independently confirm these figures.
During the fighting for Namhsan three civilians were killed, 54 residential buildings were burnt down and pagodas, religious buildings and a school were damaged, according to the TNLA.
It also said that four howitzers, weapons, ammunition, landmines and military equipment were seized from the junta.
The junta bases in Namhsan captured by the TNLA included Kadaihpu Camp, the Tatmadaw Tea Factory, Namhsan Police Station, Namhsan Military Camp, Construction Tactical Hill and the junta camp in the Mahamyatmuni Pagoda compound.
This is the second town the TNLA has taken control of. It also controls Monglon Town in Kyaukme Township, according to Lieutenant Colonel Tar Aik Kyaw.
