More than 50 forces previously aligned with the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) have switched allegiance and joined the junta in Myanmar. The defection occurred last week in Kyaukme town, located in northern Shan State. The group was led by an individual with prior experience serving in the regime’s police force. This shift in allegiance represents a potential development in the ongoing conflict within Myanmar. The reasons behind the defection remain unclear, but it highlights the fluid dynamics of the conflict and the complexities of alliances. This move strengthens the junta’s forces in the Kyaukme area of northern Shan State. It also signals a possible weakening of the TNLA’s position in the region.