Locals are concerned by the Burma Army’s use of helicopters to monitor movements of the Restoration Council of Shan State/Shan State Army (RCSS/SSA) after fighting broke out on Wednesday morning, 16 September, in southern Shan State’s Kolam Township.
About 45 soldiers from Burma Army Battalion No. 152, fought with the RCSS/SSA at Wan Kong village, 10 miles from southern Shan State’s Kolam Town in Kolam Township.
According to RCSS/SSA sources, three Burma Army soldiers were killed and one was seriously wounded.
Col. Sai Hla, an RCSS representative said: “The clash broke out at about six or seven in the morning. The Burma Army lost a lot of soldiers and then they used helicopters to fight against us.”
He said that the fighting continued until 10 a.m.
The Tai Freedom Shan language website reported on Thursday 17 September that the military used the five helicopters "to locate RCSS/SSA soldiers on the ground."
Col. Sai Hla agreed with an RCSS report released on Wednesday 16 September that said renewed fighting between the Burma Army and RCSS/SSA is occurring because the Burma Army is trying take control of RCSS/SSA controlled areas. the report also described a wider military strategy in which the Burma Army searches for and then attacks Shan troops in the region.
Sai Thurein Oo, the Parliament member representing Namzang Township, said: “Villagers are now fearful because of the Burma Army’s use of helicopters in the area. They are so worried about their security.”
Since late August, seven clashes have been reported between the Burma Army and the RCSS/SSA in the Shan State townships of Namzang, Loilem, Kunhing, Mauk Mai, Lang Khur and Kyaukme.
The RCSS/SSA also requested that political parties stop their election campaigns in the areas where fighting is taking place. A nationwide election is scheduled for 8 November, and the signing of a nationwide ceasefire agreement has been tentatively proposed for early October.
By SAI AW / Shan Herald Agency for News (S.H.A.N.)
Edited in English for BNI by Mark Inkey
