A 300-strong force was despatched last month by the Shan State Army-South to areas in central Shan State, where one of its brigade commanders had switched allegiance to a rival group last year, according to sources from the border:

Despite speculation that the expeditionary force commanded by Lt-Col Pawng Khurh might be on a combat mission against Col Moengzuen, formerly Commander of the SSA South’s 758th Brigade and currently Commander of the recently renamed SSA ‘Central’, insiders maintain the operation was essentially political. “We could have sent a bigger force, couldn’t we?” a senior officer asked rhetorically.

Since a hitherto unknown group led by some Shan elders, claiming support of 48 of the 56 townships of Shan State, had set up a Shan Interim Government (ISG) and declared Independence on April 17, 2005, tensions have been mounting between the two sides, especially after Moengzuen’s defection. He has repeatedly ignored directive after directive from Headquarters to present himself at Loi Taileng, the SSA South’s main base on the Thai-Burma border.

Apart from his erstwhile associates, Moengzuen and his troops in the Six-Corner area (between Mongkerng, Kehsi, Mongnawng, Namzang, Loilem and Laikha) are also facing an annihilation campaign by the Burma Army.

“It doesn’t make sense to fight each other if both are fighting against the common enemy, the Burma Army,” said a worried militia commander who called S.H.A.N. from his base. “We have let the people down once by an eight-year internecine war between us (1972-1980, between the SSA, which became the SSA-North, and the SURA, which became the SSA-South). The lesson should have been properly learnt by now.”

The 200-mile march from the Thai border to Mongkerng by Col Pawng Khurh, however is not a peaceful one. The force was reportedly chased and intercepted by columns of the Burma Army all the way from south to north resulting in not a few clashes, according to local sources.

On April 28, at Namkarb, Mongpan township with Light Infantry Battalion (LIB) 520; killed four and three captured; seized G-3 automatic rifles. On 2 May, at Kunghak, Mongnai township with LIBs 332, 520, 574 and 576; killed 4 and wounded 3.

The clashes were neither confirmed nor denied by the SSA. All sources nevertheless agree that the expeditionary force have arrived at its destination in central Shan State.