Shan, Wa dance to junta tune

War

Shan, Wa dance to junta tune

In an unexpected turn of events, the United Wa State Army's 171st Military Region, commanded by 'druglord' Wei Hsuehkang, has laid siege to the Shan State Army's principal stronghold opposite Maehongson's Pang Mapha district, according to Thai and Shan sources.

While details are still lacking, sources agreed that the first was fired at 08:00, Saturday 12 March. There are some 10 Wa fire-bases surrounding the Shans' main base, Loi Taileng, that was established in 1999.

Across Chiangmai's Wiang Haeng district, the SSA's Loi Lam (Doi Dam in Thai) base is also under siege though no hostilities have as yet started.

The Wa, apparently by order from Wei, had been reinforcing their presence in the area in the farthest corner of Mongton Township since 9 March. According to civilian sources in Mongton, at least 200 more troops have arrived since to back up the 500 already in the neighborhood where at least 2 heroin refineries are located under Wa protection.

This is the first time in 3 years that the two sides have breached their undeclared truce thereby effectively killing the Shan boast that while their Karen and Karenni neighbors in the south are confronting their own compatriots: Karen National Union (KNU) against pro-SPDC Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA) and Karenni National Progressive Party (KNPP) against Karenni Nationalities People Liberation Front (KNPLF), it has to worry only about the Burma Army.

So far it is still unclear as to why the UWSA has chosen to wage war with a prospective ally like the SSA at a time its ceasefire pact with Rangoon is in limbo following Gen Khin Nyunt's undignified departure in October. But watchers in Thailand have offered 3 likely explanations:

• To keep the SSA occupied while the Burma Army is engaging its ally, the KNPP next door to the Shan State

• A highly confidential give-and-take arrangement between the Wa and Rangoon

• Suspicion by the Wa that the loss of the drug shipment on 5 March was something of a drama orchestrated by the Thais and Shans

Locals, meanwhile, say the disappearance of 3 drug operators in Kharng Pa, some 20 miles north of Loi Taileng, on 17 February had been attributed to the SSA, and the Wa had demanded immediate release. To which the SSA had declined citing ignorance about the alleged abduction

The SSA commanders, on the other hand, are unavailable for comment.