Press Conference on offensive operations against opium smuggler SURA insurgents held

Yangon, 12 Feb - A Press Conference on offensive operations against opium smuggler SURA insurgents in Tachilek, Kyahtina, Lwekhanchon and Lwemahsoak regions was held at Tatmadaw Guest House on Inya Road this evening. Present were Head of Department of Office of Strategic Studies Col Kyaw Thein, Managing Director of News and Periodicals Enterprise U Tin Kha, Director (News) U Hla Tun, chief editors of dailies, Patron of Myanmar Foreign Correspondents Club U Sein Win, President U Sao Kai Pha and member correspondents and officials of the Ministry of Defence. Col Kyaw Thein said that it was learnt that about-150-strong group under the command of Ywet Sit had set up nine camps in Kyahtina region (estimated U-598642), Lwekhanchon region (estimated U-673601), Lwemahsoak region (estimated U-501642) in Triangle Region Command along Myanmar-Thai border, and along the border area to the north of Mahintet, Thailand. According to that information, one tactical operations command and four battalions of Regional Control Command (Mongphyat) launched offensive operations.



Two clashes broke out on 8 February, two on 9 February, and there were also other skirmishes. Eight Tatmadawmen fell and 10 were injured. Two enemies were captured dead, two weapons seized and two camp hillocks occupied. SURA insurgent camps were stationed along Myanmar-Thai border. If heavy weapons had been fired, the shells could have fallen inside the territory of Thailand. So great care was taken in launching offensive operations. The hillocks of enemies were contiguous to the border demarcation line, and opium smuggler SURA insurgents attacked the Tatmadaw columns from the hillocks. The Tatmadaw columns had to attack the enemies, making sure that no bullets fell inside the territory of Thailand. Opium smuggler SURA insurgents put up a fierce defensive attack. Hillock No 1 is contiguous to the hillock where a military unit commanded by Maj Htan Nee of Royal Thai Army was stationed. 



As Maj Htan Nee and his unit withdrew from that hillock, the Tatmadaw columns took up their position at that place in view of security and location. While the Tatmadaw columns were getting ready to withdraw from that hillock as they were not sure whether that hillock was inside their territory, heavy weapons inside the Thai territory fired at the hillock. The Tatmadawmen got wounded, so the withdrawal of Tatmadaw columns was delayed. Commander of Triangle Region Command Maj-Gen Thein Sein met with Tactical Operations Commander of Chinrai Maj Htawat in Tachilek and discussed the situation. Maj-Gen Thein Sein explained that the Tatmadaw columns were attacking only the strongholds of Ywet Sit and his insurgent group, that they didn't have any intention of trespassing on Thai territory. 



But Thai troops seemed to be assisting Ywet Sit and his group in attacking the Tatmadaw columns. Commander of Royal Thai Army General Surayoad said that Myanma Tatmadaw columns had taken a Thai people militia camp and ordered the Tatmadaw columns to withdrawal from the Thai territory within 16 hours on 10 February. Likewise, Commander of No 3 Thai Command Lt-Gen Watnachai said that Myanma Tatmadaw intruded into the Thai territory and that retaliatory measures would be taken. The Tatmadaw columns, attaching great importance to the friendship between the two Tatmadaws, acted with great care and attacked opium smuggler SURA insurgent groups.

The Chief of Staff's Office and the Commander-in-Chief (Army)'s Office of Royal Thai Army were informed of the developments of the fighting through Myanmar Military Attach's Office in Bangkok, and measures were coordinated. At about 05.10 am on 11 February, some enemies, using heavy and small weapons, launched an attack on E-7 hillock which is located near the border demarcation line and lies on the route to Monghsat near Tachilek. The enemies from the side of Aungzeya Hillock in Maisai, Thailand, fired heavy weapons at E-7 hillock. Altogether 48 shells of heavy weapons were fired on E-7 hillock. Four Tatmadawmen fell and five got wounded. 



The Tatmadaw columns launched counter-attacks on the enemies. At that time, the enemies fired 10 shells of heavy weapons into Tachilek. Two shells fell and exploded in Ponhton Ward in Tachilek and two on the hill of Ngwetaung Monastery. In addition, the shells of heavy weapons fell and exploded in Wankaung Ward, Talot Ward and Talot Market, Haungleik Village, Pahlyan Ward-2 and at the round-abouts near the head of the friendship bridge. It was found that not only were these shells fired by SURA insurgents, but they also came from the side of Thailand. Three innocent people from Tachilek were killed and 15 got wounded. Seven houses, one Buddhist monastery, one church, three shops and three motor vehicles were damaged in Ponhton Ward.

However, the Thai newspapers dated 12 February stated that the shells fired from the side of Myanmar fell and exploded in Maisai, two Thai civilians were killed, and seven military personnel and eight civilians were wounded, and moreover, Commander of No 3 Military Command of Thailand Lt-Gen Watnachai said that Myanmar Tatmadaw units had intruded into the territory of Thailand; he would not at all forgive them; he would retaliate with the use of force, regardless of loss of lives. As E-7 is a disputed hillock between the two nations, Thai military units, putting SURA to the front and giving them covering fire from the rear, launched the attacks. 



But, General Surayode and Lt-Gen Watnachai both made accusations that it was as if the Tatmadaw launched the attacks one-sidedly. On 11 February, Royal Thai Army blocked the friendship bridge between Tachilek and Maisai, and not only assisted SURA in attacking E-7 hillock but also fired heavy weapons into Tachilek. The Tatmadaw columns did not at all fire heavy weapons into Maisai. Attaching great importance to the friendship of the two Tatmadaws, Myanmar Tatmadaw columns launched the attacks with great care. Measures are being taken to solve this matter through township-level border committees. However, it is hard to make out the attitude of some Thai Tatmadaw leaders. Myanmar Tatmadaw, on its part, will solve border problems in a peaceful way, taking the friendship between the two nations and between the two Tatmadaws into consideration. Beginning 6.00 am on 12 February, Tachilek-Maisai friendship bridge has been reopened by both sides. It is also learnt that Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs U Khin Maung Win summoned Thai Ambassador Mr Oun Maolanon at 5 pm today and delivered an Aide Memoire.

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