Shans pull out

Shans pull out

Shan State Army fighters have withdrawn entirely from the disputed hills before daybreak today, reported a source in Fang. 

Two days after heavy bombardment followed by suicide charges made by Burma Army assault troops, Shan resistance fighters, numbering less than 200, retreated from the mountain stronghold of Pakhee (Pachee in Burmese) opposite Fang District, Chiangmai, at 04:00. 

They are also pulling out from Loi Holon, further north near BP-2, opposite Banlarn Village, also Fang District, he said. They had already retreated from the embattled Loi Honok, opposite Ban Nawlae, at dawn yesterday. 
The Burmese forces were also climbing down from Honok. "It is waterless unlike Pakhee and they likely fear counter-attack by the Shans", he said. 

Col. Yawdserk, commander-in-chief of the SSA, said, "We have successfully accomplished our double mission of exposing the Burmese military's involvement in the drug business and avenging the killing of villagers (on 2 March). There is no need to remain in the area and fight a futile positional war". 

A statement issued yesterday by the Shan State Army said, "(The massive Burmese) offensive against a lone remote camp (of Pakhee) has proven that this camp is important for their (drug) business". 

Rangoon however says the SSA is the region's main drug producer. 

A Chiangmai-based foreign drug official said, "Yawdserk is still on our watch list, but he's at the bottom of the list".