The military junta is reportedly preparing to set up armored base in the area under Military Operation Command (MOC) #2, Shan State South, where it is facing Shan State Army (SSA) ‘North’’s First Brigade, one of the groups that are opposed to its border guard force program, according to sources close to junta officials in Mongnawng, Kehsi township.

“They [the junta authorities] said the plan was already made. It is only left to be set up. The plan is believed to be implemented either this month or the next month,” said a local who has close relationship with the junta authorities in Mongnawng.

Currently, the total armored personnel carriers placing in the area are 16 and with 1,000 additional of Burma Army troops that active around the SSA Headquarters Wanhai, southeast of Mongnawng and its boundary.

Last week, over 30 military trucks had been deployed to the SSA controlled area. The military junta has been reinforcing more troops and has closed all the motor routes that pass through SSA controlled areas. All cargo vehicles and public buses were stopped running for since 22 February resulting in the increase of transport fees and prices of some commodities mainly rice. The SSA controlled territory is located in the Shan State South’s Kehsi and Monghsu townships and Shan State North’s Mongyai and Tangyan townships.

As the Burma Army continues reinforcing, the SSA is also reportedly placing its troops on a standby basis. But the group said it will never stick to a static defensive. It is instead to be on a mobile defensive as the strengths between the two sides are unbalanced, according to SSA spokesperson Major Khurh Mao.