Wa deserting from battlefield

Wa deserting from battlefield

Reporter: Maihoong 

The Wa, who are known as lovers of a fight, have been deserting from their positions facing Shan State Army, said Thais who recently returned from the Wa controlled territory across the border. 

A worker who requested his name be withheld, said he saw several Wa fighters that left earlier with junta units returning to Mongyawn just before his departure. One of them reportedly told him of the clash between the Burma Army and the Shan State Army on 10 February between Mongliang and Paleep villages in Mongpiang Township. "It ended inconclusively," the fighter said. "But henceforth the Burmese would place us in the vanguard that didn't make us feel right." 

The Wa told him that they had brought down thousands of their people down to the border areas where they would be defenseless against the SSA's punitive campaigns if there were going to be any. 

Besides, the Wa had invested so much in developing the area that they could not afford a war with the Shans that would result in hundred of millions of baht in losses. 

"We therefore decided to leave them," he said. 

It was also believed that Burma Army units were not anxious for a fight against the Shans. 

Lt.-Col. Kawngzuen from Loi Kawwan, opposite Chiangrai Province, also told S.H.A.N. the Wa had ceased their tunnel-digging activities for some time now.

Earlier reports said the Wa were engaging in building tunnels towards Shan positions. 

Scattered junta fire-bases were also being vacated to concentrate in main strongholds, said Kawnzuen. He found that out when he sent a number of patrols to attack isolated outposts. 

"This could be a signal that imminent air attack on the Shan bases is in the wind," said a border watcher.