TNLA accuses junta of using chemical bombs in Nawnghkio Twsp

By Admin 05 Jul 2024

DMG Newsroom
5 July 2024, Nawnghkio, northern Shan State

The Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) has accused Myanmar’s military regime of using an internationally banned chemical bomb during fighting between the two sides in northern Shan State.

In a statement on July 4, the TNLA said the junta used three chemical bombs during an attack by the TNLA on the military’s Missile Battalion No. 606 based in Nawnghkio Township.

As a result of the attack, eight     TNLA fighters were poisoned and are suffering from symptoms including rapid breathing, fatigue, shortness of breath and nausea, and are receiving medical treatment, according to the ethnic armed group.

The military regime’s Missile Battalion 606 in Nawnghkio Township attacked with up to four chemical bombs between July 1 and 4, according to the TNLA statement.

“Militaries are not even allowed to use jet fighters in civil wars. However, the military regime is using aeroplanes to attack and now we see that they are using chemical bombs,” said U Than Soe Naing, a political analyst. “These are human rights violations by the military regime. Both the international community and the United Nations need to take effective action on these.”

During the first wave of “Operation 1027”, the military regime used chemical bombs during the battle for northern Shan State, though it denied that there was such an attack.

The TNLA said renewed fighting broke out in northern Shan State on June 25, marking a restart of the anti-regime “Operation 1027” after the China-brokered Haigen Agreement signed between the regime and the Three Brotherhood Alliance was violated by junta forces.

The TNLA seized more than 40 junta camps, military bases and police outposts during the first 10 days of renewed hostilities and fighting is reportedly fierce in Nawnghkio, Momeik and Hsipaw townships.