In the wake of the expiry of the 1 September deadline to surrender, the Shan State Army (SSA) ‘North’ fighters and the Burmese Army fought for the fourth time yesterday in Shan State South’s Monghsu township, according to SSA sources.

The small outpost of the SSA’s 24th Battalion in Kun Kieng-Wan Lwe, between Wan Hai, the SSA’s main base in Kehsi township, and Monghsu, was attacked by a 50-strong Burmese Army’s Light Infantry Division (LID) 33 patrol at 17:00 local time.

The surrounding Burmese Army troops were later surrounded by SSA reinforcements. The attackers at 19:00 retired from the battlefield to maintain its position at a short distance from the outpost.

More reinforcements from both sides were reported to be coming, but no further details were available.

The SSA North is allied to the Panghsang-based United Wa State Army (UWSA) and the Mongla-based National Democratic Alliance Army (NDAA). It is also a member of the newly-formed Committee for the Emergence of a Federal Union (CEFU), dubbed “Seafood” by some, headed by the Kachin Independence Army (KIA).

The movements of the 3,000 strong SSA North, based in Mongyai, Tangyan, Kehsi and Monghsu townships, have been kept under its eye by more than 1,000 Burmese Army troops since last month. Its Salween crossings have also been occupied by the Burmese Army.

The latest fighting, coming in the wake of the 7 November polls and the ongoing tension with the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA) in the south, has caught the attention of Burma watchers. But so far no indications of an immediate full-scale offensive are seen, according to a source from Shan State North.

The SSA North’s operational areas are adjoining those of the non-ceasefire SSA South led by Lt-Gen Yawdserk. The SSA North is led by Maj-Gen Pangfa.