No.24 - 12/2005
30 December 2005

War

More fighting in the north

The small contingent of the Shan State Army 'South' that had managed to penetrate Shan State's northernmost townships in recent months appears to be under hot pursuit by up to 20-infantry battalions of Burma Army, according to sources from the Sino-Burma border:

One of its smaller units was shelled heavily by the Kutkhai-based Light Infantry Battalion 568 at 13:30 yesterday near Wiang Kang, some five miles south of Namhkam, 129 miles north of Lashio, prompting people in the surrounding villages to flee into town. Most of them however were stuck halfway to the town by Burmese troops, who feared there might be SSA agents among them.

The fate of the encircled Shan fighters is not known. Some local observers are optimistic. "There are former members from the Shan State National Army and Palaung State Liberation Army (forced to surrender last April and May) who are familiar with the terrain and the people," says one. "I think they have a chance."

The SSA-South that has kept the whole operation under wraps is noticeably disturbed. "The fight is not of our own choice," says an officer who wishes to remain unnamed. "We'd rather it took place after we were firmly established there."

Both Col Sai Yee, former SSNA leader who had recently merged with the SSA 'South' and Col Yawdserk, the SSA 'South' leader, are not available for comment.

Clashes between the non-ceasefire SSA 'South' forces that moved in to supplant the ceasefire SSA 'North' troops that were ordered by the Burma Army to pull out had begun since November in Hsipaw and Nawngkhio, further southwest of Namhkam.

Related report: Curfew for northern township follows rout, 29 December 2005.