The Burmese Army targets the Shan troops

The Burmese Army targets the Shan troops

Jai Lert Tai

09 May 2013

The Burmese troops launched an fierce attack on the Shan troops on the Shan-China border since this morning. The fights are still going on at the time of reporting.

According to the local source in Nam Kham, northern Shan  State, "Local villagers from Nawng Ma and Nawng Kham fled to China border. Some fled to Nam Kham for shelters."

Reportedly, there were around 800 villagers fled from the fighting and taking refuge in China. The Chinese authorities also were seen on the border after the shooting broke out. According to the local source, the Burmese Army used artillery to pound the SSA bases. 

The incident took place after four Burman civilians who believed to disappear into the village. After the disappearance of the Burman civilians, the Burmese Army asked the SSA to return them which SSA-S claimed to have no knowledge of their whereabouts. 

After that, the Burmese made a checking on SSA's bases and SSA allowed the Burmese Army to clarify their allegations. However, after the checking, the Burmese Army burned down the camps which angered the armed Shan fighters. 

According to the local source, "It is a shame to SSA for seeing their camps burning down which they could not do anything." The incident sparked anger for the SSA. Again, they were told to calm down by their commanders." 

However, the Burmese deployed around 300 troops to raid the whole base of SSA in Nawng Ma today (09 May). Both sides opened fire. As a result, 9 were killed and 8 were wounded on the Burmese Army side whilst SSA lost one fighter and 2 were wounded.

According to a Burmese political analyst, "The Burmese Army does not want peace. The military campaigns against the ethnic armed groups damaged the reputation of the reformed Thein Sein government. The government promotes peace but its commanders are war-hungers. They are too concerned to lose power to the reformed government. The only thing they would survive is waging war or creating wars. Wars would only keep them survive."

However, a border observer disagreed, "If the government can't control its troops and they are powerless. It is another block that the government must control its own troops. If not, how could the ethnic armed groups trust the so-called trust building process of the government?"

He added, "The Burmese government's main objective behind the ceasefire was ensure that EU and US lift sanction on their military personals and business partners. The signals of ceasefire, participation of Daw Su in the parliament were the keys for the EU and US to lift sanction. Of course, the release of some political prisoners a big bonus for Thein Sein to walk proudly in the international community." 

Credited to ShanExpress