Wa takes another breather

War

Wa takes another breather

The United Wa State Army called off its fight yesterday after recapturing the watercourse that the Shan State Army had seized last month, according to border sources:

"From now on it's up to the SSA to decide whether or not we should carry on with the fight," a Wa source in Tachilek quoted Shan-speaking second-in-command of the UWSA Bo La Kham as saying.

The said stream near the village of Kharngpa, northeast of Loi Taileng, across Maehongson's Pang Mapha district, was one of the bones of contention of the conflict, according to Wa sources. The others include defamation of the UWSA, abduction of UWSA proteges and attacks on Wa convoys.

However, Thai sources who were on the border yesterday to watch the battle were not so convinced. "I think they have run out of their shells," said a Thai security officer. "No wonder. They must have thrown more than 2,000 missiles on the SSA during the three days of fighting."

The situation has been normal since 14:00 yesterday, said an SSA liaison officer.

Related report: Wa claims victory, 14 April 2005