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Myanmar renews heavy attacks on Shan rebels: SSA
Chiang Mai, June 17: Myanmar troops on Monday renewed their offensive to recapture outposts along the Thai border seized by anti-Yangon Shan rebels, the Shan State Army (SSA) said on Monday.
Chiang Mai, June 17: Myanmar troops on Monday renewed their offensive to recapture outposts along the Thai border seized by anti-Yangon Shan rebels, the Shan State Army (SSA) said on Monday.
"There have been heavy clashes with the Shan rebels throughout the night near Pan Kan Kaw," opposite northern Thailand's Chiang Rai district, SSA sources said.
Myanmar's troops and their allies, the United Wa State Army (UWSA), are attempting to recapture the bases Yangon said were overrun by the rebels last month in bloody clashes which heightened tensions between historic enemies Myanmar and Thailand.
"About 700 Myanmar soldiers and Wa fighters were involved in the latest battle," SSA spokeswoman Nang Khur Hsen told reporters by telephone from the border.
"The fighting is continuing at this moment, but no casualty figures are available," she said at 1.30 p.m (0630 GMT).
The SSA claimed last week that over 240 Myanmar and Wa troops had been killed in the fighting along with 13 Shan militia.
Nang Khur Hsen said SSA members had engaged in several close-range clashes with Wa troops, while Yangon soldiers fired long-range shells on rebel positions.
There were reports of stray shells from Myanmar landing on Thai soil, said a villager in Mae Hong Son, a Thai border town.
"The situation on the Thai side of the border remained tense and still under tight security," he added.
Yangon announced it was staging an all-out offensive against the SSA on June 4. Last Friday, Myanmar's ruling military junta said it had recaptured 11 bases along the Thai border taken by ethnic Shan rebels in May, and that the base at Pang Mae Sueng was the only remaining outpost in Shan hands. The SSA rejected the junta's claim. Bureau Report
Myanmar's troops and their allies, the United Wa State Army (UWSA), are attempting to recapture the bases Yangon said were overrun by the rebels last month in bloody clashes which heightened tensions between historic enemies Myanmar and Thailand.
"About 700 Myanmar soldiers and Wa fighters were involved in the latest battle," SSA spokeswoman Nang Khur Hsen told reporters by telephone from the border.
"The fighting is continuing at this moment, but no casualty figures are available," she said at 1.30 p.m (0630 GMT).
The SSA claimed last week that over 240 Myanmar and Wa troops had been killed in the fighting along with 13 Shan militia.
Nang Khur Hsen said SSA members had engaged in several close-range clashes with Wa troops, while Yangon soldiers fired long-range shells on rebel positions.
There were reports of stray shells from Myanmar landing on Thai soil, said a villager in Mae Hong Son, a Thai border town.
"The situation on the Thai side of the border remained tense and still under tight security," he added.
Yangon announced it was staging an all-out offensive against the SSA on June 4. Last Friday, Myanmar's ruling military junta said it had recaptured 11 bases along the Thai border taken by ethnic Shan rebels in May, and that the base at Pang Mae Sueng was the only remaining outpost in Shan hands. The SSA rejected the junta's claim. Bureau Report