Sittwe: Many battalions based in the western border state of Arakan have been dispatched by military authorities to wage battle with ethnic rebels on the Thai-Burma border since the first week of this month, report witnesses and local sources.

Light Infantry Battalions 377, 378, and 540 based in Kyauk Taw on the upper Kaladan River, LIB 539 and LIB 535 based in Mrauk U, the ancient city of Arakan, LIB 545 from Ponna Kyunt and LIB 252 from Sittwe began marching to the eastern border from their bases on 7 January. Other battalions based in Ann and Taungup in southern Arakan State left their bases for Karen State earlier this month, said a military source.

The source said that the battalions marched to the eastern frontlines with between 100 and 300 soldiers each.

An elder, who has family in an army battalion in Kyauk Taw, said that only those who are disabled, women, and children remain in the compound for Battalion 378 after many soldiers left for Karen State in army vehicles.

"It is for reinforcement for the eastern frontline war with the DKBA rebels," he said.

A witness from Mrauk U said, "Nearly 300 soldiers gathered on the grounds of the ancient royal palace in Mrauk U on Saturday to tread for ensuring victory in the war. The soldiers also worshipped at a shrine in the palace grounds with candles and flowers. But I do not know which battalion the soldiers were from."

Two battalions - LIB 539 and 535 - based in Mrauk I left town in a number of army vehicles after the visit to the ancient royal palace grounds, said a source close to the army.

The battalions have passed through the town of Taungup, a gateway town of Arakan to Burma proper at the foot of the Arakan Roma. Burmese military authorities often dispatch troops from Arakan State to eastern Burma in order to wage war against the Karen and Shan rebels, but this time there are significantly more battalions being sent than before.

A trader who witnessed events said that many soldiers from the Rathidaung-based battalions - LIB 536, LIB 537, and LIB 538 left on Monday for Taungup in several public ferry ships after the ships were commandeered by the military.

The military authority has been deploying the Arakan-based battalions one after the other as reinforcements to wage war with the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army on the Thai - Burma border. The situation between Burmese troops and the DKBA broke down after the DKBA refused to convert its troops into a border guard force.