BNI English

An alliance has been forged between the Shan State Army (SSA) and the non-ceasefire Wa. SSA troops have been shoring up the defence of the non-ceasefire Wa base along the Thai-Burma border, between Maehongson and Homong, according to Thai, Karenni and Shan sources.

An alliance has been forged between the Shan State Army (SSA) and the non-ceasefire Wa. SSA troops have been shoring up the defence of the non-ceasefire Wa base along the Thai-Burma border, between Maehongson and Homong, according to Thai, Karenni and Shan sources.

An estimated 150-strong SSA unit, commanded by Lt-Col Awng Mya, have been with the Wa National Army (WNA), commanded by Col Bo Teuk Merng, in Loi Wa Her, also known as Loi Tawng Myauk, opposite Ban Rak Thai, Muang district, Maehongson province, for over a year.
 
The base has been facing four Burma Army battalions, commanded by Col Soe Win Tun, backed up by 4 120 mm mortars:

• IB (Infantry Battalion) 131 in Mae Aw
• LIB (Light Infantry Battalion) 524 in Kawng Maihoong and Namon
• LIB 514 in Nawngleng
• LIB 422 in Maekun

The two sides have also been conducting joint patrols. Their 21-strong patrol, led by Captain Ta Plak, was attacked on March 25 by a 60-strong LIB 514-Homong militia in Khonglong, north of Homong, where two were killed. The Burma Army had to account for one killed and six wounded, according to a local source.

The WNA was founded by Ta Maha Hsang, Prince of Wiang Nguen, on July 29, 1974. Its political wing, Wa National Organization (WNO) is a member of the National Democratic Front (NDF). The group has been under pressure to give up its armed struggle since the arrest of Maha Hsang on drug charges by the Thai police in 2005. Both Maha Hsang and the NDF have denied the charges.