Brand new battalions in Shan State

Brand new battalions in Shan State 

Several reports coming across the border agreed that Rangoon had set up new light infantry battalions in Shan State since New Year. 

S.H.A.N. sources found ten new battalions, most of them commanded by majors, in the Eastern Region Command (Taunggyi) and the Triangle Region Command (Kengtung): 

1. LIB 571 Military Operations Management Command # 18, Triangle Region Command

2. LIB 572 Military Operations Management Command # 18, Triangle Region Command

3. LIB 573 Military Operations Management Command # 18, Triangle Region Command

4. LIB 574 Military Operations Management Command # 18, Triangle Region Command

5. LIB 575 Military Operations Management Command # 17 (Mongpan), Eastern Region Command

6. LIB 576 Military Operations Management Command # 17 (Mongpan), Eastern Region Command

7. LIB 577 Military Operations Management Command # 17 (Mongpan), Eastern Region Command

8. LIB 578 Military Operations Management Command # 17 (Mongpan), Eastern Region Command

9. LIB 579 Military Operations Management Command # 14 (Monghsat), Triangle Region Command

10. LIB 580 Military Operations Management Command # 14 (Monghsat), Triangle Region Command

LIB 579 and 580 are commanded by majors Win Ngwe and Maung Maung Soe respectively. Both units are armed with newly issued MA (Myanmar Army) assault rifles. 

As a result the number of battalions in Shan State has increased from 106, according to an inventory compiled by All Burma Students Democratic Front last year, to 116. "If you consider the fact that they had only around 40 battalions in 1989 when they were still fighting most of the groups that have concluded ceasefire pacts with Rangoon since, it is indeed incredible," said a border watcher to S.H.A.N. yesterday. 

"Now the only group with some teeth (in the Shan State) fighting against Rangoon remains the Shan State Army "South" of Yawdserk." 

In addition, the Triangle Region Command has now 3 new artillery units: 385, 386 and 387.

Sao Sengsuk, spokesman for the Shan Democratic Union commented: "Before World War II, the British had only one under-strength frontier regiment in the whole Shan States (as it was known then), and they didn't have any trouble dealing with the inhabitants."