Karenni commander: Offensive against Shans in April

SSA' 4 major bases (Loi Taileng,Loi Lam,Hsanzu,Loi Kawwan)

Karenni commander: Offensive against Shans in April
 26 February 2007  S.H.A.N

According to Maj Gen Bee Htoo, Chief of Staff of the Karenni Army, the military arm of the Karenni National Progressive Party, the Burma Army will be launching a dry season offensive against his army and the Shan State Army (SSA) come April, reported the local Chiangmai News yesterday.
 
Kantarwaddy Times, based in Maehongson, has confirmed the news adding that the information was given by Burma Army porters who had escaped to the border. Other details are not available.
 
Kalaw-based Light Infantry Division (LID) 55 has been reinforcing its units along the border west of Maehongson, the newspaper reported.
 
However, north of Maehongson and its neighboring provinces, Chiangmai and Chiangrai, no unusual troop movements are being reported, according to Shan and Thai sources.
 
So far, there are only a few indicators:

• 
  

  On 15-16 January, pro-military Lahu militia units in Monghsat district, which covers three townships: Monghsat, Mongpiang and Mongton, opposite Thailand's Maehongson, Chiangmai and Chiangrai provinces, attended a meeting, where they were ordered by the Burma Army area commander to prepare for a major operation against the SSA after their annual New Year celebrations. The Lahu traditionally observe their New Year, which falls on 18 February this year, for two weeks.

  
  
• 
  

  Another is the construction of a new bridge on the Maesai river, some 10 km north of the Burma Army's Maemaw base near the SSA's Loi Kawwan stronghold since mid February. "They are also repairing and expanding the motor road to Maemaw," Lt-Col Gawnzuen, Commander of the Kengtung Military Region, based in Loi Kawwan. "Reports say heavier weapons will be brought in."

  
  

The SSA has 4 major bases along the Thai-Burma border: Loi Taileng, Loi Lam, Hsanzu and Loi Kawwan.
 
The Burma Army meanwhile is still going through a major reshuffle, substituting its competent commanders with new blood, an undertaking that might likely occupy it until the end of March, according to junta sources.
 
2006 was the only year when no major offensive was launched against the SSA. "The Burma Army however was pretty much preoccupied with its operations in Karen, Kayah (Karenni) and Sagaing areas," said a Thai security official.

http://www.shanland.org/war/2007/karenni-commander-offensive-against-shans-in-april

Fear and Hope

Karen Split Group Formed a New Group

"Time to lay the wreath?"

Karen Split Group Formed a New Group
By Shah Paung February 02, 2007 Irrawaddy


The break-away commander of the Karen National Union's 7th Brigade, Brig-Gen Htain Maung, has formed a new Karen organization, the Karen National Union/Karen National Liberation Army Peace Council. The announcement came on January 31, the 58th anniversary of the Karen revolution.

Htain Maung, promoted to major general, was named chairman of the new group. Lah Poe, the wife of the late Karen leader Gen Bo Mya, was named vice chairperson. She currently holds the position of chairperson of the Karen Women’s Organization.

Mahn Sha, the general secretary of the Karen National Union said, “We are not recognizing the groups." He said he could not say anything more until the KNU Central Committee meets. The KNU dismissed Htain Maung from his position on January 30 for his failure to follow KNU policies.

Col Ner Dah Mya, son of Bo Mya, tactical commander of the Karen National Libration Army and commander of KNLA Battalion 201, was appointed secretary-1 of the group. He was promoted to brigadier general.

His brother, Col Nay Kaw Mya, also known as “Saw Nay Kaw” has also joined the new group.

Pastor Timothy, a humanitarian worker who participated in ceasefire meetings between the Karen and the Burmese junta in 2003 and who was dismissed by the KNU’s foreign affairs department in June, 2005, was appointed joint-secretary-1.

The National Democratic Front, an ethnic alliance group, will continue to support the KNU main organization, said Hkun Okker, general secretary of the NDF, which was founded in 1976 by 11 armed ethnic groups, including the KNU.

Htain Maung, who has been involved in the Karen revolution since 1949, has been a KNU central committee member and commander of the 7th Brigade since 1970. He held separate meetings with the Burmese military government without approval of the KNU leadership, which led to a separate "peace" agreement in January.

Aye Tha Aung, secretary of the Arakan National League for Democracy said, “We are sad because of what's happening between the KNU and the 7th Brigade." It can create problems for other ethic groups, he said.

The KNU/KNLAPC group was not available for comment on Friday.

Karen representatives from inside and outside Burma are now gathering for a “Karen Unity Seminar” from Feb. 1-4 in a KNU control area along the Thai-Burma border.

According to general secretary Mahn Sha, four main issues will be discussed: The unity of Karen people, the current political situation in Burma and preparation for a new generation of Karen leadership.

“Karen unity is our principle goal,” he said.

More than 50 representatives are expected at the conference. Other issues to be discussed will include Karen resettlement to third countries, Karen views on regime, KNU ceasefire talks and the Salween River dam project. The Karen Unity Seminar began in 1999.

http://www.irrawaddy.org/aviewer.asp?a=6656&z=163