The United Wa State Party/United Wa State Army (UWSP/UWSA) stayed uninvolved in the conflicts of the three Northern Brotherhood Alliance in northern Shan State, U Nyi Ran, in-charge of UWSA’s liaison office in Lashio told Eleven Media on November 29, saying that claims of its involvement were just an accusation.
It has been announced that the "Wa" group will not participate in the attack on military and security outposts or in the fighting in northeastern Shan State. But, rumours have spread on social media that UWSA soldiers had sided with the Northern Alliance forces after changing their uniforms, he said.
"Our headquarters has already claimed that there is no involvement. These are all unfounded accusations," U Nyi Ran said.
In the statement of the UWSP/UWSA headquarters issued on November 1, the Wa group it had adhered to impartiality regarding the conflict in northeastern Shan State. And instead, it has urged the various forces involved in the current armed conflict to discuss the ceasefire as soon as possible.
Additionally, any air or ground military invasions into their control areas would be reversed. Territorial security and public life would be unconditionally protected. Meanwhile, free humanitarian assistance would be provided to displaced people entering the Wa region to escape fighting, the statement said.
Since the Northern Alliance began fighting in northeastern Shan State, war refugees from Chinshwehaw and Laukkai have been fleeting to the Wa area. Therefore, the Wa group has been providing assistance and transporting those wishing to go home.
On October 27 in northern Shan State, members of the Northern Alliance namely MNDAA, TNLA and AA launched a ‘1027’ military operation in northern Shan State. Since then, there have been clashes between the Myanmar military and the Northern Alliance forces in Chinshwehaw, Laukkai, Kunlong, Hsenwi, Lashio, Kutkai and Hamkham. The allied forces have blown up the bridges and caused damage on Mandalay-Lashio-Muse and Lashio-Chinshwehaw-Laukkai road sections along Union Highway, cutting off transport and commodity flow.
During a national defence and security meeting (3/2023) held on November 8 in Nay Pyi Taw, Chairman of the State Administration and Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Min Aung Hlaing said that after making preparations in the Wa region, MNDAA entered Chinshwehaw through Namtit Bride to launch attacks on October 27.
