Two of the anti- border guard force groups: United Wa State Army (UWSA) and National Democratic Alliance Army (NDAA), were reportedly warned by China not to get involved with any groups opposing the military junta, otherwise they would be open to attacks like the Kachin Independence Army and Shan State Army (SSA) ‘North’, according to a Sino-Burma border source.

“The junta will leave you alone if you don’t get involved with the new alliance,” a source quoted one of the Chinese officials as saying. 

The report however has yet to be confirmed by Wa or Mongla authorities.

In February, the SSA and KIA participated in the formation of UNFC (United Nationalities Federal Council), an alliance of 11 ethnic armed ceasefire and non-ceasefire groups, which is to embark on an ambitious plan to set up a Union Army to be made up of armed forces from its member organizations. (The SSA later backed out, saying it could join it only on a state basis, not on an organization basis.)

A few days before the formation, a clash broke out between the KIA and the Burma Army in Manzi township for the first time in 18 years of theirs ceasefire period.

Likewise, the SSA is being under attack by the junta since 13 March. Fighting between the two sides are informed in several places in Shan State South’s Monghsu and Kehsi Townships and in Shan State North’s Mongyai township yesterday and today.

So far there has been 5 clashes: three yesterday and twice this morning. One took place near Mongkhang village, Tuya village tract, Mongnawng Sub-township of Kehsi Township, between SSA’s No. 801 Battalion and some Burma Army troops patrolling in the area.

Other include one at Kawngsaomong hill near Longkawng village in Shan State North’s Mongyai with SSA’s  Battalion No. 1 and another between Nam-nga and Wan Hwe village in Monghsu township with SSA’s Battalion 196. Each attack lasted for half an hour, a SSA officer said.

“At least 3 were killed on the Burma Army’s side. We are still gathering the full data,” the officer said.

This morning clashes were at Loi Zang in Mongnawng with SSA’s 801, lasting for almost 6 hours from 3 am to 9 am, local sources said.

Yet again the two fought between Mong Awd and Tawoonkeng crossing on the Salween. At present, thousands of Burma Army troops are moving around the SSA controlled area and along the Salween which serves as a shared boundary with the UWSA.

The Burma Army also brought in hundreds of mules and horses for transportation in the roadless countryside.