No. 13 - 01/2006
18 January 2006

War

Fresh campaign against SSA begins

The Arakan state-based Military Operations Control Command #5 that had moved into southern Shan State last year has launched a fresh campaign to search and destroy Shan State Army's 758th Brigade, report sources from the border.

Sources have identified at least 6 light infantry battalions (LIBs): 346, 371, 543, 544, 562 and 566 converging on the 4-Corners area (Mongkerng, Kehsi, Kunhing and Laikha), where the 758th under Col Moengzuen is active. There are 11 battalions under the Military Operations Control Command #5. Lt-Col Moengzuen

So far no clashes have been reported although Col Moengzuen told S.H.A.N. 3 Burma Army men had surrendered to him on 13 January:

• Corporal Shwe Thein, 27, Infantry Battalion 287, Wanzing
• Private Nay Win Htike, 24, Infantry Battalion 287, Wanzing
• (yet to be identified), Infantry Battalion 131, Kehsi

The three had brought 2 MA-1 and 1 MA-2 automatic rifles. The information however could not be confirmed by other sources.

"The Burma Army wants Moengzuen to become another Khun Kyaw," commented on SSA-South officer, referring to the group's 241st Brigade Commander who finally surrendered on 2 January in northern Shan State. "But conditions facing Moengzuen and Khun Kyaw are quite different."

• Moengzuen is operating in his home base area while Khun Kyaw had been trying to set up a new base among people who knew very little about him
• Moreover, Khun Kyaw was completely cut off from friendly forces that he could count on when he left southern Shan State to the far north, while Moengzuen could easily escape to neighboring SSA units that know him if not exactly on friendly terms with him

Col Moengzuen declared his allegiance from the SSA 'South' of Col Yawdserk to the Interim Shan Government, whose authenticity is still a highly controversial subject among Shan activists.