Adversities faced by the Tatmadaw’s ordinary soldiers and junior officers, especially after the recent reduction of supplies to their family members, have hit home prompting responsible commanding officers to tend resignations, according to a report from the Sino-Burma border.
They include Lt-Gen Myint Soe, Chief of the Bureau of Special Operations (BSO) #1 that oversees security in Kachin, Chin and Sagaing, and more than 200 brigadier-generals and colonels.
The implied protest from them has brought the already tense relationship between “reformist” President Thein Sein and “hardliner” Vice President Tin Aung Myint Oo to a head.
Thein Sein had reportedly advised a mysterious character called “Naypyitaw”, believed to be the retired Senior General Than Shwe, to suspend all the military campaigns currently being waged in Karen, Shan and Kachin states, to ease of the pressure before dealing with the problems of the rank and file.
“Our troops must be withdrawn away from the headquarters of these groups,” he was quoted as saying.
Tin Aung Myint Oo, however thought the military operations, particularly against the Shan State Army (SSA) North, should continue and that the problems inside the Tatmadaw could be resolved after receiving “a loan from China.”
“We must destroy the groups one after another,” one of the generals supporting Tin Aung Myint Oo’s view was quoted as saying. “And the total control of the SSA areas (west of the Salween) will enable us to defeat the Wa (east of the Salween).”
The dispute between the two sides were so bitter it seemed Naypyitaw had become “too small for the two men to live together,” according to the source. “Both sides looked to Than Shwe to stick his oar in, which he did,” he said, “He told the generals, the situation is such relieving either Thein Sein or Tin Aung Myint Oo from their current offices would look bad. And that the unity of the Tatmadaw should be maintained at all costs.”
The source said he has a document in possession to support his report.
Lt-Gen Yawdserk, leader of the Restoration Council of Shan State / Shan State Army (RCSS/SSA), better known as the SSA South, said the report corresponded to the situation on the ground. “Wanhai (the SSA North HQ) was supposed to have been taken last week,” he said. “But so far Burmese troops around Wanhai have not made any significant move.”
At the same time, troops from neighboring townships are being ordered to march toward Kehsi township in Shan State South. Kehsi is 25 miles southwest of Wanhai.
The SSA South leader said his units had been engaged in ambushes against Burma Army convoys moving to Mongnawng, some 30 miles south of Kehsi, yesterday.
