KNU REPORT FEBRUARY 19

[So_Nou@xxxxxxxxxxxx]

SITUATION UPDATE, MERGUI TAVOY DISTRICT, 4TH BRIGADE KNU.

1. MILITARY SITUATION 
     
     -NORTH OF DISTRICT HQ (HTEE KEE)

       Slorc troops from Mergui arrived at Tavoy military  area on 14.2.97 .
In the taung Byauk area SLORC troops capture porters from all villages. 

      Slorc troops continue to repair the old road that was used by Japanese
troops in WWII.

      A SLORC column from Kwee Waw Wa (Aing Wine) village marched eastward to
the Thai border. Noon, 16th Feb there was a skirmish with KNLA at Thet Hkee
Hta.

      Information has now been confirmed that SLORC will strike with 5
columns from all directions to destroy the KNU district HQ at Htee Kee.

      On 16th and 17th Feb two skirmishes happened at Ka Neh Kaw (Pya Tha
Chaung) and Paundaw areas in the Paw Klo river valley area. SLORC confiscated
villagers's boats from Paw Klo (Ban Chaung) areas and sent supplies to Htee
Hpo Lay and Kwee Waw Wa where they are currently camped on the banks of the
Tenasserim river.

      On 15th Feb SLORC division 55 arrived at Tavoy with 50 military
vehicles. They brought mules along with the convoy.

     -SOUTH OF DISTRICT HQ (HTEE KEE)

       On 16.2.97 SLORC troops from No They Lar left for an offensive march
to the east, it included two columns of troops.

      On 15.2.97 another SLORC troop with 200men arrived at Ka Wutt Hta and
captured porters from there.

2. DISPLACED PEOPLE 

      - NORTH OF DISTRICT HQ (HTEE KEE)

      Villagers from Kaw Wah Kwee, Htee Hpo Lay and Kwee Waw Wa arrived at Ka
Saw Wah. Accurate numbers are still not available but are estimated at
600-700. Some people from Ka Saw Wah and Ka Ma Haw have already fled and
arrived at Htee Hta and Amoh.

       - SOUTH OF DISTRICT HQ (HTEE KEE)

       On 17.2.97 villagers from Htaw Ma Pyo and Min Htaing Hkee close to the
border of Thailand at Ratchaburi area were told by the Thai military to move
to a point 5 Kms back from the border line. The reason for this is not clear
since these people have stayed there for a long time.

3. HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES REPORTED

      Kalet Kay, Htee Hpo lay and Kaneh Kaw villages were burnt down by SLORC
troops. Some plantations were also burnt.

     15.2.97  (5) boats travelling on the river were shot at and two boats
sunk. There were casualties but the number not known.

     There has been looting of villagers property and live stock from
deserted villages.

4. ASSISTANCE SOUGHT 

     A list of displaced persons is being collated and assistance sought from
BBC (food) and MED (medicine). The list of displaced persons is still as
reported on the first update.

    THE FACTS REGARDING THE OPERATION IN MERGUI TAVOY

Name of offensive : Thu Ra
 
Chief Commanding officer: Bdr Gen. Thi Ha Thu Ra Sit Maung

Vice Chief Commanding officer. Col Thu Ra Maung Ni 

Field commanders: Lt Col. Than Win (1st command)
                               Lt Col. Saw Hla Min (2nd command)
                               no name known     (3rd command)

Designated battalions:  IB 224,262,267, 273,280,25,104,17,101,103
                                   LIB 265,342,358,431,432,401,406

Area designated:     -Tavoy to Taung Thone Lone : IB 104,267
                              - Heinda to Paundaw              IB 273
                               -Taung Thone Lone - Mytta - K'let Ki : IB 25
                               - Mytta to Kwee Waw Wa : IB 224,267,273,25,431
                               - Peh to Pa Lauk Nan Thila : IB 280,17
                               - Kyauk Lone Gyi  :          IB 101,103,LIB
432

Reinforcement:          Supply Unit                    924
                                  Field engineers                904
                                  Construction engineers   965
                                  Artillery Unit                  324
                                  Field intelligence              19
                                  Medical Unit                      5/100
                                  Communication                 8 
                                  Mule and horse train unit  1
                                  Field engineers (navy)      906
                                 Mine detectors and trackers unit
 It has been reported that Division 55 has left from Tavoy and has spread out
to the front line. On 15.2.97 they arrived from Ye with about 50 trucks along
with mules and horses.

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