Gunfire was exchanged between the Shan State Army and the Burma Army this morning as soon as reinforcement of the Burma Army troops arrived near SSA controlled territory this week, according to local and SSA sources
Fighting began around 8:00 until the time of reporting at SSA’s Tapha Sawng base, located between Shan State North’s Hsipaw township and Shan State South’s Kehsi township. It is said to be one of the SSA bastions.
“Fire is still coming and going, heavy weapons flying from both sides,” said an SSA officer from Wanhai.
The number and strength of the recently deployed Burma Army troops is unknown but is estimated to be at least 3 battalions. One of them is said to be Infantry Battalion (IB) 147 based in Nawngkaw, Hsipaw Township. Battalions that are active near the IB#147 are Mongnawng based IB # 286, Mongyai based IB 325 and Namlan based Light Infantry Battalion (LIB) # 504.
The SSA has around 30 men and is now asking for reinforcements from its headquarters in Wanhai.
Yesterday, more Burma Army soldiers coming from Taunggyi were brought in 50 trucks and headed to Kehsi Township, west of SSA HQ Wanhai, one of the frontline areas of the Burma Army. Likewise, Light Infantry Division (LID) 33 based in Kokang also sent in 16 trucks to areas in Mongyai Township, north of Wanhai.
According to an unconfirmed source from Lashio, who has close relations to junta leadership, Naypyitaw has reportedly passed instructions to attack Wanhai, the headquarters of Main General Pang Fai, commander of the SSA.
“Naypyitaw also allows them [the Burma Army troops] to use chemical weapons if necessary,” the source said.
Lt-Gen Yawd Serk, Chairman of the Restoration Council of Shan State (RCSS), the political wing of the Shan State Army based in Loi Taileng on the Thai-Burma border, also shared information that Wanhai is being surrounded by Burma Army troops from every side except the side that leads to the SSA South areas.
Although there has yet to be any major operations against the SSA, small clashes between the two forces have reportedly taken place almost every day in areas around Wanhai.
Since the installation of the new government in February, military operations have taken place against ethnic-armed movements like Kachin Independence Army (KIA) and the Karen National Union (KNU).
The United Wa State Army (UWSA), one of the strongest armed groups in Burma, released a statement on 16 June urging both the armed groups and the Burma Army to stop fighting and come to the negotiation table. Otherwise, the promise by President Thein Sein made in April to maintain stability in the border region will be meaningless, the statement said.
Source:http://shanland.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=3792:clashes-increase-after-more-burma-army-troops-deployed-to-shan-territory&catid=86:war&Itemid=284
Fighting began around 8:00 until the time of reporting at SSA’s Tapha Sawng base, located between Shan State North’s Hsipaw township and Shan State South’s Kehsi township. It is said to be one of the SSA bastions.
“Fire is still coming and going, heavy weapons flying from both sides,” said an SSA officer from Wanhai.
The number and strength of the recently deployed Burma Army troops is unknown but is estimated to be at least 3 battalions. One of them is said to be Infantry Battalion (IB) 147 based in Nawngkaw, Hsipaw Township. Battalions that are active near the IB#147 are Mongnawng based IB # 286, Mongyai based IB 325 and Namlan based Light Infantry Battalion (LIB) # 504.
The SSA has around 30 men and is now asking for reinforcements from its headquarters in Wanhai.
Yesterday, more Burma Army soldiers coming from Taunggyi were brought in 50 trucks and headed to Kehsi Township, west of SSA HQ Wanhai, one of the frontline areas of the Burma Army. Likewise, Light Infantry Division (LID) 33 based in Kokang also sent in 16 trucks to areas in Mongyai Township, north of Wanhai.
According to an unconfirmed source from Lashio, who has close relations to junta leadership, Naypyitaw has reportedly passed instructions to attack Wanhai, the headquarters of Main General Pang Fai, commander of the SSA.
“Naypyitaw also allows them [the Burma Army troops] to use chemical weapons if necessary,” the source said.
Lt-Gen Yawd Serk, Chairman of the Restoration Council of Shan State (RCSS), the political wing of the Shan State Army based in Loi Taileng on the Thai-Burma border, also shared information that Wanhai is being surrounded by Burma Army troops from every side except the side that leads to the SSA South areas.
Although there has yet to be any major operations against the SSA, small clashes between the two forces have reportedly taken place almost every day in areas around Wanhai.
Since the installation of the new government in February, military operations have taken place against ethnic-armed movements like Kachin Independence Army (KIA) and the Karen National Union (KNU).
The United Wa State Army (UWSA), one of the strongest armed groups in Burma, released a statement on 16 June urging both the armed groups and the Burma Army to stop fighting and come to the negotiation table. Otherwise, the promise by President Thein Sein made in April to maintain stability in the border region will be meaningless, the statement said.
Source:http://shanland.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=3792:clashes-increase-after-more-burma-army-troops-deployed-to-shan-territory&catid=86:war&Itemid=284
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