SSA under attack by Burma Army while also encounter with Wa

Photo: @ Reuters

Sources from SSA South revealed that last July 30, the Burmese Army started military operation against them in Loi Ye mountain range, Namzang township. There had been reports that 3 clashes had been noted since then between the Burmese army and the SSA’s Gawn Zerng Column.

The operation was headed by the Faikhun (Pekhon) based Military Operations Command (MOC) # 7, most of whose units are based either in Kayah or Shan-Kayah border. Light Infantry Battalions 422 (based in Mongpai, Kayah) and 425 (based in Banyen, Shan-Kayah border) are reported among them, SHAN news reported.

Sai Deving, the SSA’s liaison officer who is stationed at Namzang township’s Kholam sub-township where the Burma Army’s Central Eastern Region Command is based admitted that they have no idea and are not aware of the operation.

Yesterday morning, another group of the SSA forestry officials spearheaded by Sai Leng reported that they have been under attacked by unknown Burmese army units southwest of Mongpan, where the MOC # 17 is based. Information on the incident are not enough but the SSA groups said there were fatalities on the Burmese army and they were also able to seized some weapons from the army.

On the other hand, the Shan State Army (SSA) ‘South and the United Wa State Army (UWSA) has been making negotiations saying that this conflict will only give greater harm than good to both the Burmese army and the ethnic rebel groups.

For the last 3-days, troops from the UWSA’s Hoyawd-Hopang based 248th Brigade had been surrounding the Loi Hsarm Hsip base of the SSA’s 727th Brigade commanded by Lt-Col Teun Kherh, opposite Chiangmai’s Fang district.

Based on the report of local and Thai sources, 20 truckloads of troops were sent down to support the SSA stronghold by Wa. But only six truckloads were left seen this morning, according to Teun Kherh.

Peace treaty was signed by the UWSA on September 6, 2011 and December 2, 2011 by the SSA South with Naypyitaw. An officer of the SSA who requested anonymity said that this will only hamper the peace process in the event that the conflict and hostilities will not be put to stop, the report said.