The Burmese Army’s Tangyan command facing the United Wa State Army (UWSA), on  March 22 evening, instructed personnel working for NGOs, international organizations and junta agencies to evacuate Panghsang, the capital of the Wa region, within two days, said sources on the Sino-Burma border yesterday.

The order however did not include military personnel stationed in the capital, 115 miles southeast of Tangyan.

“Some have already left today,” said a source close to the Wa leadership yesterday. “The rest are expected to follow tomorrow.”

The source was unable to say if the order was a precursor to the anticipated offensive against the UWSA.

An opposition Kokang source also confirmed the move adding the pull-out included personnel from Laogai, the Kokang main town the Burmese Army seized last August. They are said to be from the regime’s Border Areas and National Races Development and Welfare Ministry, known as Natala. “Many of them have arrived in Lashio (Shan State North capital) and Kengtung (Shan State East capital),” he added.

Militia units in the area have also been instructed to reinforce the Burmese Army units guarding the Salween crossings. One of them, Bo Mon’s Manpang militia, is already at Ta Hsaileng crossing facing the UWSA controlled Manton, east of the river.

The UWSA is considered the strongest of all the armed groups that had concluded ceasefire agreements, which had since last year been ordered by Naypyitaw to place themselves under the Burmese Army’s command. Most of them are yet to accept the order, saying their demands for self-rule have been ignored.