The army has been sending military vehicles to the Kokang Self-Administered Zone on a daily basis since before the NCA talks started in Yangon on 22 March according to residents living along the route the army convoys are taking. The convoys are going to Kokang via Nawnghiko, Kyaukme, Hsipaw, Lashio and Theinni townships.

U Maung Nyunt who lives on the Lashio to Theinni road said: “A tank transporting truck overturned in Goktiek Town and military trucks loaded with arms and ammunition plunged into a paddy field in the Sanlong area on its way to Theinni. No less than 10 trucks go north every day. As I remember: 34 trucks went on 20 March, 32 trucks on 21 March, 10 armoured cars and military trucks on 23 March and then after that some more trucks. I also saw trucks loaded with artillery.”

Major Sahtit from the ethnic armed group alliance said: “Although there some agreements for peace were made in Yangon the government is still strengthening its forces in Northern Shan State. Their activities are the opposite of peace. This is why we cannot trust them on this matter [military movements] and they [the government] may continue to increase their forces.”

The Burma Army has 10 brigades and of those soldiers from seven brigades have been sent to Northern Shan State. They are from brigades: 11, 33, 55, 66, 77, 88 and 99.

Because the government has been reinforcing its forces in the area ethnic armed organisations have been recruiting more soldiers according to locals. The EAOs presently recruiting include: the Restoration Council of Shan State / Shan State Army (RCSS/SSA), the Shan State Progressive Party / Shan State Army (SSPP/SSA), the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) and the Kachin Independence Army (KIA).

Translated by Aung Myat Soe English version written by Mark Inkey for BNI