Tatmadaw and PNO joint forces clear 6 PNLA camps in Pa-O region within a week
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Eain / Munich (NP News) – Dec 17
The Tatmadaw and Pa-O National Organization (PNO) joint forces have cleared six PNLA camps in the Pa-O Self-Administered Zone in southern Shan State within a week.
The groups PNLO/PNLA, KNDF and PDF terrorists initiated the attacks intensively in Pa-O Self-Administered Zone including Hsihseng Township since January 2024.
In response to these intensive attacks, the Tatmadaw, along with U Aung Kham Hti's Pa-O National League (PNO/PNA), launched counter-offensives, preventing the PNLA from establishing a foothold in urban areas.
However, PNLA, KNDF, and PDF coalition forces have reportedly established footholds in villages in Mauk Mae Township, Honam Region, and villages southeast of Hsihseng Township.
A senior PNO official told The NP News that the Tatmadaw and PNO have been conducting joint security measures against the PNLA forces since 30 November.
“The main thing is that the local people claimed to clear them. As long as they are in that area, we cannot move safely. The local people have to travel through their camps and then move around for food. The PNLA groups collect a lot of money. For example, a bag of rice costs about 40,000 to 50,000 kyat to pass through their camps. In addition, the people are also delivering rice and other food. That is why the people are demanding that these people be cleared out as soon as possible, so we have to combat,” said a top PNO official.
He added that the Tatmadaw and PNO forces cleared six PNLA camps in the Honam within seven days, and that during the activities, they seized some weapons, some documents, and about seven PNLA members.
The PNLA coalition must leave the Pa-O region and retreat to their headquarters in Gatu Gyi, or else they will be combated again, the top PNO official added.
Currently, some of the top leaders of the PNLO/PNLA armed group are living in the Thai border area, and the group's strength is reportedly minimized.