SAC, TNLA scheduled to meet again on August 20
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Phyo/Thant Zin (NP News) - July 29
The State Administration Council (SAC) and the TNLA are reportedly set to meet again for talk on August 20, according to sources contacted by The NP News.
"We know that they will meet on the 20th. But we haven't confirmed it yet. They said they would meet in August, and now the news is coming out again. I think it's likely that they will meet. I can't say anything about the other," said a person familiar with the incident.
A source from northern Shan State said that the TNLA is likely to be asked to cede more territory during the talks.
“What I’ve heard is that there is a possibility of a meeting in August. After these talks, the TNLA is likely to give up more of the areas it controls,” he said.
Currently, the Tatmadaw is continuing to attack Kyaukme and Hsipaw, which are controlled by the TNLA, while the TNLA is only defending itself, he said.
“Now, the Tatmadaw’s offensive is continuing to attack Kyaukme and Hsipaw. Also, the TNLA has reduced its forces. Previously, there were many checkpoints, but now there are not many of them. They are not retreating much in Mogok. However, after the Tatmadaw regained Thabaikkyin, there are matters to consider,” he said.
The Tatmadaw and the TNLA reportedly met in Kunming, China, on April 28 and 29, with the mediation of China.
A delegation led by Lieutenant General Ko Ko Oo from the Tatmadaw and a delegation led by Lt-Gen Ta Jock Ja from the TNLA attended the talks, but the talks were unsuccessful and the meeting failed.
Following the talks, the Tatmadaw pressed forward with attacks on TNLA-controlled areas in northern Shan State, and on July 16, it was reported that it was able to fully retake Nawnghkio.
The TNLA's decision to relinquish Nawnghkio to the Tatmadaw was due to growing public support for the Tatmadaw, declining public support for the TNLA, and pressure from China, the source said.
“The TNLA is under pressure, both from China and from the public. Public pressure means that when people no longer support them, they begin to lose ground. While the Tatmadaw’s operation to retake Nawnghkio was a military offensive, it was also successful thanks to intelligence and cooperation from the local population. In a way, it reflects growing public support for the Tatmadaw and declining trust in the TNLA. This shift in sentiment is becoming increasingly evident. Looking ahead, we’re starting to see the possibility of regaining control of towns like Kyaukme and Hsipaw as well,” he added.
He also said that the TNLA's ethnic hatred and political greed in the northern Shan areas they control were also the main reasons for their defeat.