The military council has begun to send large numbers of reinforcements overland to Lashio in northern Shan State, according to reports.
Local witnesses reported that a long convoy of 25 military trucks was on its way to Lashio in northern Shan State via Kyethi Township in southern Shan State on the afternoon of 14 February.
“A military convoy of about 25 vehicles from southern Shan State was heading to Lashio and Mongyai. All the vehicles were covered with tarpaulins, some with soldiers. There were a lot of them,” said a local witness.
According to locals, people in northern Shan State are worried that fighting could flare up again during the temporary ceasefire period after the Chinese New Year, as troops from both sides are getting closer and moving.
“Even now, people are worried that fighting could flare up again. The military council troops, who have lost in other towns and reached Lashio, have become active after the Chinese New Year. They are in a situation where if they attack other towns, they can expect their positions in the rear to be taken,” said a military source from Lashio.
The Three Brotherhood Alliance (3BHA), which is carrying out “Operation 1027”, and the military council reached the “Haigeng Agreement” after the third round of talks in Kunming on 10 and 11 January, mediated by China, to temporarily stop fighting in northern Shan State, both sides officially announced.
The 3BHA announced on 12 January that the agreement was reached to avoid armed clashes and confrontations between troops on both sides, and to resolve issues and outbreaks of shootings through dialogue.
However, the 3BHA forces stated that fighting in northern Shan has not stopped during the temporary ceasefire as the military council has blatantly violated the ceasefire by unilateral attacks.
In the more than three months since the start of “Operation 1027”, the Three Brotherhood Alliance forces have attacked and captured over 400 camps and outposts of the military junta in northern Shan State and taken control of 20 towns.
Defeated on multiple fronts and lacking manpower, the military council has begun enforcing the People’s Military Service Law to conscript all adult citizens.
In order to recruit people, the junta formed an 18-member the People’s Military Service board on 13 February, headed by its defense minister.
Sent by Shan News.