By Sai Aw / Shan Herald Agency for News (SHAN) | October 25, 2016

Around 100 local officials and villagers in Mongyang Township have reportedly fled their homes due to escalating tensions in the eastern Shan State region between Burmese government forces and the United Wa State Army (UWSA).

A resident in Mongyang told Shan Herald under condition of anonymity that those who fled all live near UWSA Bridge 468 in Mongyang. They are currently seeking shelter in neighboring Mongkhat Township.

Military tensions have risen over the last week after the UWSA – one of the largest ethnic militias in Burma with some 20,000 troops led by Bao Youxiang – rejected an order from Burmese military commanders to withdraw its units from territories in Mongla under the control of the National Democratic Alliance Army (NDAA) by October 24.

“We have not sent the Tatmadaw

[Burmese military] an official letter about this,” said Luo Zai Nub, an official from the UWSA on Monday. “However, we have received orders from headquarters that we are not to withdraw.

“A few days ago, it seemed as if they were about to attack us,” he added. “They flew military jets over our bases. But today [October 24] they did not come.”

Mongsat resident Kya Ze confirmed to Shan Herald that he saw three military jets flying overhead yesterday.

In Mongsat, ethnic Wa men are signing up to join the Wa rebels, according to Tar Ngi, a UWSA official in southern Shan State.
“We do not know what is happening in the north. But we have been ordered to recruit as many men as possible, including former soldiers and even men over 60,” he said.

In late September, some 600 troops under UWSA Battalion 468 seized two NDAA mountain bases, Loi Kiusai and Loi Hsarm Hsoom, as well as reinforcing troops and arms into the areas.

The Wa group is recognized as having control over a self-administered division, comprising the townships of: Hopang, Mongma, Pangwai, Narpan, Mangman and Panghsang. The group did not sign the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement with the then Thein Sein government in October last year, declining on the basis that they had already signed bilateral accords with Naypyidaw.

During the 21st Century Panglong Conference, which was led by Burma’s State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi, the Wa group again demanded its own autonomous state.

This article originally appeared on Shan Herald Agency for News (SHAN) on October 25, 2016.

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