The ceasefire Shan State Army (SSA) ‘North’, which transformed to the junta controlled home guard force in April, recently received an order from the Northeastern Region Command to persuade the last remaining brigade to accept the regime’s programme as soon as possible, according to sources from the base.

Maj-Gen Aung Than Htut, the commander of the Northeastern Region Command issued the directive on 27 July to Sao Loi Mao asking him to apply pressure on the First Brigade to accept the militia programme within two weeks, said a source desiring anonymity.

The SSA ‘North’ comprises three  brigades, 1st Brigade in Wanhai in Kehsi township, 3rd Brigade in Hsipaw township and 7th Brigade in Shan State South’s Kunhing township as well as one border force and one HQ security force. Two of them, #3 and #7 have already agreed to be controlled by the Burmese military.

The First, which boasts more than 2,500 armed fighters and is believed to be the strongest among the SSA’s three brigades remains opposed to the programme despite frequent pressure from its sister brigades #3 and #7, as well as from the Burmese military.

The 3rd and 7th Brigades are commanded by Major General Loi Mao and Gaifa respectively and the 1st by Maj-Gen Pang Fa, who is also the SSA (North)’s Chief of Staff.

But later reports suggest that Maj-Gen Loi Mao has not yet put in an appearance at the First Brigade base, said the source.

Sao Pang Fa, meanwhile, has given advance warning in a clear message that his response would be the same, said another source that has a close relationship with the brigade’s leadership.

Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA).Maj-Gen Pang Fa
“There’s no way Sao Loi Mao or Than Tut (the regional commander) is going to succeed,” he said.

Pang Fa has already received a number of invitations to visit Lashio, the Burmese Army’s regional base. He is yet to accept.

As a result of his defiance, he was ordered to withdraw all his forces positioned near motorways and the Burmese Army outposts in Shan State South’s Monghsu (gem land) in May.

Apart from the First Brigade of the SSA North, other groups continue to resist the BGF programme. They are the United Wa State Army (UWSA), National Democratic Alliance Army (NDAA), Kachin Independence Army (KIA), New Mon State Party (NMSP) and the 5th Brigade of