The increase in frontline confrontations between the Burmese army and ethnic groups is an indication that the military government is planning a major offensive, according to sources from ethnic groups.

Maj Hla Ngwe, secretary of the Karen National Union’s information department, told The Irrawaddy o¬n Wednesday that fighting has increased between Burmese and Karen soldiers in recent weeks, especially in Kawkareik Township in Karen State’s Brigade 6.

He said, “It is most likely that they [the Burmese army, or Tatmadaw] will conduct military operations during the dry season as they used to do. They are trying to clean the way for the Asia highway in Karen state.”

In Kawkareik Township, the Tatmadaw has reinforced its troop numbers and set up armed camps in areas where the road is due to be built, he said.

In previous years the Burmese army would launch military operations in the ethnic areas only during the dry season months (usually January to May).

Meanwhile, vice-secretary of the Karenni National Progressive Party, Khu Oo Reh, said that the Karenni army has clashed with Burmese troops an estimated six times since early October. He said that Karenni soldiers are preparing for conflict in the months ahead.

Khu Oo Reh added that two Burmese soldiers die for every one Karenni soldier killed in hand to hand combat.

Regular clashes are also occurring in the middle and western regions of Shan State, according to a spokesperson for the Shan State Army (South), Sai Lao Hseng. He added that his troops were always on the alert.

On 23-24 October, a skirmish occurred between the Karen National Liberation Army, the regular army of the KNU, and the breakaway Democratic Karen Buddhist Army, the DKBA. One soldier from the DKBA was seriously injured, said Maj Hla Ngwe of the KNU.

Then on October 27, there was a clash between the KNLA and Burmese soldiers in Kawkareik Township in Karen State. Six Burmese soldiers were killed, but no Karen soldiers died, Maj Hla Ngwe claimed.

Meanwhile, from 24 to 29 October, Burmese army troops from Division 88 and Military Operations Command, MOC 1 sacked two Karen villages-Ler Mu Plaw and Yeh Mu Plaw, in Papun District-and destroyed the villagers’ rice harvest, according to a report by the Free Burma Rangers relief team.

The report stated that two villagers were killed and nine villagers were wounded, including two teenage girls. The Tatmadaw forcibly relocates villagers, chases people from their homes, disrupts their planting and harvesting, and kills anyone who resists, the report concluded.

The largest Burmese army offensive in recent years against the Karen people was in February 2006 when 30,000 Karen villagers from the northern three districts of Karen State were displaced from their homes and an estimated 370 people were killed. Since then, 52 new Burmese army bases have been built in the area.