Shan rebels deny Friday clash

Shan rebels deny Friday clash

Shan State Army's Kengtung Front commander, in response to Bangkok Post today's edition reporting a clash on Friday (17 January) in Monghsat Township that killed two Burmese soldiers and wounding five, rejected it was its handiwork. 

Lt-Col Kawnzuen said the said scene of the engagement was "swarmed with both Burmese and militia troops and it would be foolhardy for us to tackle them there. Anyway, we haven't been doing any fighting for the past few weeks." 

According to border source, the Burmese had complained that they were attacked by "Shan rebels wearing Wa headgear". Col Kawnzuen responded, "It isn't fair. How did they know it was our boys and not Wa? Right now, news are all over the Burmese have been getting a headache trying to push the Wa from Paliao-Kenglarb area (north of Tachilek on the western bank of Mekong). Couldn't it be the Wa instead of us? Why should they want to scapegoat us?"

S.H.A.N. source in Tachilek who is close to the local military, confirmed the Wa-junta dispute over the removal of some 4-500 Wa fighters and their families. "The leader of the Wa there is Ta Khawd," he said. "What the Burmese want is for the armed members of the United Wa State Army either to disarm or leave the area. They say they have no objections to civilians settling there." 

He added he had not heard about any recent fight between SSA and the Burma Army. "But there was a clash with Wa on 17 January that left two Burmese dead and three wounded who are being treated here (in Tachilek)." 

The SSA, apparently to relieve Thai concern, announced on New Year's Day that it would not fight unless attacked.