4th clash between Shan ceasefire army, junta army

Maj-Gen Pangfa, Commander of SSA North (photo:SHAN)

Following the passing of the 1 September deadline to surrender, the Shan State Army (SSA) ‘North’ fighters and the Burma Army fought for the 4th time yesterday in Shan State South’s Monghsu township, according to SSA sources.

The small outpost of the SSA’s 24th Battalion at Kun Kieng-Wan Lwe, between Wan Hai, the SSA’s main base in Kehsi township, and Monghsu, was attacked by a 50-strong Burma Army’s Light Infantry Division (LID) 33 patrol at 17:00 local time.


The surrounding Burma Army troops were later surrounded by the SSA reinforcements. The attackers at 19:00 retired from the battlefield to maintain its position at a short distance from the outpost.

More reinforcements from both sides were reported to be coming, but no further details were available.

The SSA North is allied to the Panghsang-based United Wa State Army (UWSA) and the Mongla-based National Democratic Alliance Army (NDAA). It is also a member of the newly-formed Committee for the Emergence of a Federal Union (CEFU), dubbed “Seafood” by some, headed by the Kachin Independence Army (KIA).

The movements of the 3,000 strong SSA North, based in Mongyai, Tangyan, Kehsi and Monghsu townships, have been kept under the eye by more than 1,000 Burma Army troops since last month. Its Salween crossings have also been occupied by the Burma Army.

The latest fight, coming in the wake of the 7 November polls and the ongoing tension with the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA) in the south, has caught the attention of Burma watchers. But so far no indications of as immediate full-scale offensive are seen, according to a source from Shan State North.

The SSA North’s operational areas are adjoining those of the non-ceasefire SSA South led by Lt-Gen Yawdserk. The SSA North is led by Maj-Gen Pangfa.

Source: http://shanland.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=3309:4th-clash-between-shan-ceasefire-army-junta-army&catid=86:war&Itemid=284