A newly formed Mon splinter group, known as the “Rehmonnya” group and led by Nai Shoung, has as of this week joined forces with the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC), a New Mon State Party (NMSP) officer from Moulmein told IMNA.

It has yet to be confirmed as to whether the groups will also align itself with other Mon splinter groups, such as the Nai Aung Naing or Nai Chan Dein groups; such a move could potentially threaten the tentative peace that currently exists between the NMSP and the various Mon splinter groups that populate Mon State.

On June 4th of this year, IMNA reported on an incident that involved Rehmonnya members arresting two village officials living in NMSP-controlled territory. IMNA’s article mentioned that the group was formed by Nai Shoung, a former NMLA Colonel; the group was officially deemed a Mon splinter group by the NMSP in February of this year. At the time of IMNA’s June 4th article, the group was known to comprise of at least 10 members, and was mainly active in Tenasserim Division. A second article, published by IMNA on June 24th of this year, documented the Rehmonnya group’s increased activity in the Thailand-Burma border area; security in several border villages was increased after the group made repeated demands for money from the residents of Brigade No. 3 village.

According to the NMSP officer from Moulmein, “Now Nai Shoung has been at Ye Township, he has planned to join with Nai Aung Naing [rebel] group, and [they will] combine with the SPDC; he will also accept the SPDC’s offer to make the Rehmonnya group into a Border Guard Force”.

According to an NMSP officer living on the Thailand-Burma border, Nai Shoung, two advisors, and his wife journeyed from the city of Myawaddy, located on the Thailand- Burma border, to Moulmein (the capital of Mon State) on October 16th of this year. Reportedly, the group met with Southeast Command Commander Thet Naing Win for a period of two days. Following the conclusion of the meeting, the Rehmonnya contingent returned to Ye Township with an escort of SPDC soldiers.

“We heard about Nai Shoung joining with the SPDC, but we don’t know if his group has joined with others Mon splinter groups [Nai Aung Naing and Nai Chan Dein] yet. We are still confirming that,” said the New Mon State Party officer based on the border.

“Now that Nai Shoung has combined with the SPDC, the situation is not good for the NMSP. Behind Nai Shoung group maybe some of Mon splinter group will join, we think some of other groups will combine, the situation will become like the fights between the Karen groups, fighting will break out between Mon groups,” he added.