The United Wa State Army (UWSA) contingent that was trapped in the Burma Army encirclement for two days and two nights in Mongyawng made their successful escape yesterday to their Pang Nao base, according to local sources.
The contingent, which is part of the 65th Battalion, 468th Brigade, whose troops stretches from its main base Mongpawk in the north to Pang Nao (8,542) south of Mongla, was down in Paliao-Kenglarb area, Tachilek township, on a mission “to familiarize itself with the terrain”, according to a source who requested anonymity.
Two of their men assigned to purchase supplies were detained by the Burma Army, which was followed by an attack on the group on 5 April.
The group then moved up to Lanfa Hin Khio mountain further north and was again encircled by the reinforced Burma Army units from Mongphyak based Military Operations Command #8 on 6 April.
The group was having a hard time on 7 April when diversions were created by another group, believed to be the non-ceasefire Shan State Army (SSA) South. The SSA however has neither denied nor confirmed the report.
The diversionary attacks presumably by the SSA had forced the besiegers to open up a path through which the Wa were able to escape, according to a local militia source without elaboration.
The Wa have fought at least 4 times since 2008: 2 in Hopang, 1 in Mongton and now in Mongyawng-Tachilek.
On the 3 previous occasions, both sides had downplayed the clashes and refrained from escalating the conflict.
