The military council forces based in Kyaukme Township in Shan State have been deploying troops on foot to surrounding villages, according to local sources.
In the first week of March, a large number of junta soldiers from the Military Operations Commands 1 (MOC-1), Lighting Infantry Battalions 501/502 and Artillery Battalion based in Kyaukme patrolled into nearby villages around the town, locals said.
“They come out out the gate at the entrance of Kyaukme and walk into the town. They were out yesterday too. It has been three days in a row now. There were 100 or so soldiers each day. We saw them between Sa Kan Thar and Kho Mone villages. They were only carrying weapons and water bottles,” said a local man from Kyaukme.
Locals reported that the junta columns were spotted walking along the Union Highway from Kyaukme town, passing between Sa Kan Thar and Kho Mone villages. Three or four civilian vehicles were seen following them at a slow speed, not military vehicles, the locals confirmed.
“They were heading from Kyaukme towards Naung Pein village. Some said they turned back from around Kho Ohn village. In the previous days, there were many of them, around 50 soldiers in each column. They went out twice. But we saw only 10-15 soldiers returning. I’m not sure where they were heading,” added the man from Kyaukme.
Similarly, in the last week of February, more than 20 12-wheeled trucks fully loaded with junta soldiers, were seen on Mongyai-Thibaw road, heading towards Thibaw from Mongyai town, according to locals from Mongyai.
The Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) had seized control of Monglon and Mong Ngaw towns in Kyaukme Township during Operation 1027 in December 2023 and imposed curfew orders there. However, on 6 March, the TNLA announced the lifting of those curfew restrictions in these towns.
However, the martial law areas announced by the military junta on 4 March included only Namtu, Namhsan and Mantong Townships, excluding Monglon and Mong Ngaw in Kyaukme Township where troop reinforcements are currently taking place.
Earlier on 13 January, the junta forces launched an offensive attack on the TNLA camp on the Peace Hill in Kyaukme, in violation of the “Haigen Agreement” signed in China, according to a TNLA statement.
Sent by Shan News.