SSA Southern continues offensive dr

[andrew@xxxxxxxxxxxx]

Subject: SSA Southern continues offensive drive in Northern Shan State

SSA southern troops attacked Nawngkio and Namlan area in Northern Shan State

The sources from Northern Shan State stated that the troops of the  SSA(Shan
State Army)-Southern attacked the bases of SPDC (State Peace and Development
Council) in Nawngkio and Namlan area on 19th and 20th July. Nawngkio is a town
between Maymyo ( Pyin-Oo-Lwin ) and Kyaukmae the area of which is about 50
miles far from Mandalay, the second city of Burma. 

SSA southern troops under control of Sao Yawdserk launched an offensive drive
into Northern Shan State started in early June. These troops were lead by
Lt.Col Moengzuen, deputy chief of SSA southern troops. These troops are
composed of 758th, 198th and 241st brigades of SSA South. 241 brigade is lead
by Sao Khun Jaw who was the commander of ( All Burma Students' Democratic
Front
) ABSDF northern troops. His troops joined with SSA South after KIO ( Kachin
Independence Organization) made cease-fire agreement with military regime. In
June, the troops from SSA southern infiltrated into Tanyan township. Now they
got up far north to the area. 

The commander of North East Command of SPDC Maj. Gen. Thiha Thura Tin Aung
Myint Oo tried to cooperate with the cease-fired Shan groups, Northern SSA and
SSNA (Shan State National Army), to stop the SSA Southern  operation but the
attempt seems to be failed. SSA Southern, SSNA and SSA Northern agreed to join
into one army under the name of SSA since 1996. But the purpose has not been
fulfilled as SSA Northern and SSNA had made cease-fire with the regime. Now
Secretary 3 Lt. General Win Myint and North-East Commander Maj-General Thiha
Thura Tin Aung Myint Oo are visiting the Wa groups to get co-operation to stop
the SSA operation.  United Wa Solidarity Army made an agreement with the
regime
in 1997 not to use their troops to fight against the enemy of the regime.

The massive forced portering inside Shan State were reportedly occurred. There
are forced portering not only in the rural areas but also in the city and
towns
like Lashio, Psipaw and Tanyan.

The major border trade route, connecting from Mandalay to Muse, is now closed
between 18:00 and 06:00. All the armed forces of the regime in Northern Shan
State are alerted and in emergency stand by including police stations and
police patrols.

The detils of the attacks has not been stated by SSA-Southern. 

Reported by ABSDF Documentation Centre.

   

  





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