Following a new operation launched by the Burma Army to remove Shan State Army (SSA) bases in northern Shan State on Tuesday, 18 February, the SSA has charged the Burma Army as “doublecrossing”.

“The Burmese military is doublecrossing the peace process,” said Shan State Progress Party / Shan State Army (SSPP/SSA) spokesman Maj Sai La. “Calm has just returned to the Kachin State. It is starting all over again with us. This doesn’t augurs well for peace.”



Columns of Burma Army troops from Infantry Battalion # 33 and Light Infantry Battalion # 322 had launched attacks against the SSA’s 192nd Battalion in Mongkao and Loilan, both localities in Tangyan township, Lashio district. Locals could hear explosions from miles around, said a Shan source from the border.

Earlier, the Burma Army had informed the SSA that its units from Mong Nawng-based Military Operations Command (MOC) # 2 in Kehsi and Monghsu townships were being replaced by units from Mongpan-based MOC # 17. So far, there are no reports of Burma Army troops from MOC # 2 and MOC # 17 involved in the fighting.

The SSPP/SSA signed a ceasefire agreement on 28 January 2012. Since then, it has reportedly fought more than 50 clashes against Burma Army columns “trespassing” areas under its control.

Officers from both the SSPP/SSA and its sister organization Restoration Council of Shan State / Shan State Army (RCSS/SSA) had given SHAN the following likely reasons for the latest fighting:

• To cut off all connections between the SSPP/SSA on the west bank of the Salween with the United Wa State Party / United Wa State Party (UWSP/UWSA) on the east bank
• The Burma Army’s standing policy to control every square inch of the union territory by “regional clearance” and “regional control” operations
• Its latest order that came out last year not to allow any armed rebel group to establish bases outside its main base
• To start preparations for the long planned offensive against the UWSA

The UWSA, reputed as the biggest drug organization, is surrounded by the Burma Army in the north, west and southwest. In the east is China and in the southwest is Mongla at the strategic triangle area where Burma meets China and Laos.