The Ministry of Defence yesterday announced that the Myanmar Army is conducting combined operations in the areas in Namhsam and Kyaukme, towns of northern Shan State, where fighting between Shan State Army – South (SSA-S) group and Ta’ang national Liberation has been ongoing, the Global New Light of Myanmar reported on 24 February.
The commander of North-East Command sent a letter of complaint denouncing the acts of SSA-S and asking it to return to the territory designated for the group to U Sai Aung Mya, vice-chairman (1) of Joint Monitoring Committee-State level and Myanmar Peace Centre on 12 February. 
The SSA-S group replied that it would not return to its own territory and has deployed more troops in the area, the article said.
During the period from 25 September last year to 19 February this year, the SSA- S clashed with the TNLA 20 times, forcing 3,657 people to flee within the period from 10 to 15 February.