evidence: Change came for the MTA after the military State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC) assumed power in 1988. The following year, the SLORC made ceasefires with the United Wa State Army (UWSA), MNDAA and other EAOs which, in 1989, mutinied from the Communist Party of Burma (CPB) that controlled large amounts of territory along the China border. As competition between the MTA and UWSA grew, a famous fight – known as the Doi Lang battle – broke out as Wa forces attempted to capture the MTA headquarters with the help of the Tatmadaw on the Thailand border. Survivors recall the battle as a nightmare that developed over several years, with heavy casualties on both sides. The UWSA and MTA were in fierce rivalry for influence and control in Shan State politics. The struggle, however, was not simply a straightforward fight between the MTA, UWSA and Tatmadaw. Other interests were involved. Also internationally infamous for drug-trafficking were the "Wei Brothers", one of whom – Wei Xiao Kang – had been indicted by the USA along with Khun Sa. Although he had previously conducted business with Khun Sa, he was known to hold a grudge against the MTA, becoming a major rival to Khun Sa personally. After the UWSA’s 1989 formation, Wei Xiao Kang joined the new movement where he gained a powerful position in its southern operations. For this reason, local people assumed that the attack on Doi Lang was partly instigated by these motivations.