In the wake of a seven-hour gun battle last week all Burmese Army units patrolling the countryside in Southern Shan State were withdrawn leaving the Shan State Army (SSA) ‘South’ free to roam all areas outside heavily barricaded towns and villages.

The reasons for the surprise recall by the Burmese Army can only be speculated at present, according to SSA South commanders:

•    Security in towns in anticipation of Martyrs Day (19 July) commemorating the event in 1949 when Aung San and eight others, including the popular Shan Prince Sao Sam Tun, were assassinated
•    Security in towns in preparation for the 2010 general elections
•    Preparation for a new offensive

“We are definitely on the lookout,” said Col Yawdserk, the SSA leader. “I have instructed all units to be twice as alert.”

The gunfight on July 15 in Kehsi Township led to 11 casualties, one capture and five assorted weapons seized in the Burmese Army. Only 14 reportedly got away, some of them injured.

“Since May 21 (Shan Resistance Day), we have killed more than 30 and seized more than 20 weapons,” an officer on the field told SHAN in a matter-of-fact manner.

The Burmese Army in Shan State is said to be preparing for a military showdown with either the SSA South or the ceasefire armies including the United Wa State Army (UWSA) with which it has an increasingly souring of relationship since last year.