Battalion commanders under the Burmese Army’s Mongnawng based Military Operations Command (MOC) #2 in Shan State South reportedly met recently to discuss launching of a military offensive against the Shan State Army (SSA) ‘South’ after dozens of its soldiers were killed and weapons lost to the SSA on July 15, local sources said.
On July 20, battalion commanders based in Kehsi, Mongkeung and Laikha townships met in Mongnawng. The meeting, presided over by the MOC commander Col Kyaw Zan Myint, discussed preparations for a military offensive against the SSA, said an informed source.
Six battalions would be deployed in the planned operation after many of its soldiers from LIB # 515 were killed, he said.
However, there has been no further information of supporting units in the operation and the main target.
There are 12 battalions under the MOC # 2 command, Loilem based IB #9, and #12, Laikha based IB #64 and LIB #515, Namzang based IB #66 , #247 and LIB #516, Mongnai based IB #248 and LIB #518, Panglong based LIB #513, Mongkeung based LIB #514 and Mongpawn based LIB#517. At least 156 soldiers from each battalion are expected to join the fresh offensive.
During the clash on July 15 in Kehsi Township, the Burmese Army lost 11 soldiers, one was captured and five assorted weapons were seized by the attackers while 14 others escaped with serious injuries. However, of those who got away eight more reportedly died on the way back.
A border analyst said that “local militias are almost certain to be used in the operation.” In the meantime, hundreds of youths from rural areas in Lashio Township, northern Shan State, are also being recruited by junta-backed local militia forces for the Burmese Army since early June and some 200 were already sent to Pyinmana near the new capital Naypyitaw, according to a SHAN report on July 22.
On July 21, another clash between the two sides reportedly occurred between Wan pang and Nawngka villages, Laikha township. The SSA said it has yet to receive detailed information but the clash was confirmed, according to a senior officer from the Loi Taileng base.
Since May 21 (Shan Resistance Day) the SSA has killed more than 30 soldiers and seized more than 20 weapons from the Burmese Army, according to the SSA.
On the other hand, the Burmese Army in Shan State is also said to be preparing for a military showdown with either the SSA South or the ceasefire armies including the United Wa State Army (UWSA) with which its relationship has increasingly soured since last year.
