Burma Army offensive to clear armed groups on border

Burma Army offensive to clear armed groups on border

Joi Htaw, IMNA
18 June, 2007

The Burma Army has launched an offensive to clear armed groups moving
along the border before the State Peace and Development Council
finalizes its draft constitution, said a leader of the Monland
Restoration Party (MRP).

The army is launching its operation through Tenasserin Division in
areas such as southern Ye Township, where Mon splinter groups and
other armed groups have influence, said Nai Pan Nyunt, former leader
of Hongsarwatoi Restoration Party (HRP).

Nai Pan Nyunt said that the military will try to clean up all ethnic
armed opposition groups so as to manipulate cease fire groups more
easily.

They learnt the reason for the operation from their own sources and
the Karen National Union, he added.

About 500 Burmese soldiers have arrived in Khaw-zar, sub-township, Ye
township to search for Mon splinter armed group, said a resident.

Apart from the Battalion No. 31 based in Khaw-zar, the Light Infantry
Battalion (LIB) No. 583, LIB No. 586, and LIB No. 587 from Ye have
arrived in Khaw-zar on the orders of Colonel Zaw Win, Technical
commander of Military Operation Management Command (MOMC) in Ye Town.

The military has banned people in southern part of Ye township from
going to orchards and farms as of 14 June, said a Khaw-zar resident.
"The army said they are going to prohibit traveling outside the
village for a week to crush the rebel group", he added.

However, the military operation can take longer than two months if
they do not achieve their aim, army sources said.

People need to go outside because it is a good time for collecting
durian and areca-nuts. The village chiefs said they cannot take the
responsibility of villagers if soldiers found someone beyond the
limited area, residents said.

Not only in southern part of Ye but the armed forces such as the
Infantry Battalion (IB) No. 282 based in Ye-byu and troops from Tavoy
town have started operating in other parts of Tenasserin Division,
residents added.
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