The situation between Wa rebels and the Burma Army has been tense as both sides have reinforced their troops, the United Wa State Army (UWSA) controls areas in the southern region, on the east Salween, opposite Chiang Mai province, according to news sources.
Reportedly, the Burma Army has ordered UWSA to withdraw their 171 bases from the southern region to their former strong hold, Panghsang, to the northern region with the deadline of 7 June. On 2 June, although an emergency meeting was held at UWSA southern command, however, no reports have mentioned if a decision on its troop’s withdrawal has been made.
“Burma border guard forces 1007 stationed at Pongpakhem have been kept on alert and are not allowed to move about. It is also reported that the army is well prepared for war. They are fearful that United Wa State Army (UWSA) would attack their base. But we have not seen Wa troop movement around there,” said a local from Pongpakhem.
In response, the Burma Army has reinforced with 14 armor vehicles, 10 military trucks fully loaded with soldiers from Tachileik, opposite Mae Sai, Thailand, towards Mongton, Monghsat, Mongtum, and Mongkang; they have been deployed where UWSA southern region command is located, according to local news sources.
However, according to some analysts, the tension between UWSA and the Burma Army is due to the 3 battalions the latter had seized at a rubber plantation belonging to Wa rebels in the end of May.
“The Burma Army with hundreds of strong soldiers forcefully intruded to occupy the rubber plantation belonging to Wa rebels. As the Wa retreated, they [Burma army] seized the plantation without firing a gunshot. UWSA, in response, has alerted its troops to be in a ready position along Thai-Burma border,” said some analysts.
It has also been reported that while the Wa’s rubber plantation was in the works, Namkhem stream has been redirected to use in the fields. Due to the plantations, people in Pongpakhem areas are facing a shortage of water, as they heavily rely on the same water resource for their daily living and agriculture, the case was reported to the Burmese authorities.
“The Wa rebels have guns, you people don’t; so, let it be our responsibility,” said a Burma Army officer. In response, the Burma Army operations commander based in Pongpakhem ordered reinforcement with several hundred troops in Mongkhit areas, according to local news sources.
In February and March, UWSA has reportedly acquired helicopter gunships, tanks, and armor vehicles from China, according to Jane’s Information Group’s report on 29 April, ethnic sources have been quoted as saying. UWSA has also repeatedly demanded Naypyitaw to establish a separate Wa state from Shan State.
