NAYPYITAW, 10 August 2021, (TON): According to sources in the region “Myanmar’s military has turned to local militia groups for help in its efforts to eliminate People’s Defence Forces (PDFs) active in southern Shan State. “

On the morning of August 7, seven military vehicles from the army’s Eastern Command headquarters in Taunggyi arrived in Namsang to meet with the leader of the Mat Kyeng militia, which is based in the town.

The Namsang resident said “They said the protests have calmed down now, but they want reinforcements in case there’s an emergency.”

The Mat Kyeng militia is one of many such armed groups operating around the country. Like most, it is under the command of the Myanmar military, but active only within its own area.

The source said that it wasn’t clear how many reinforcements the military wanted, but added that the militia’s leader, Linn Sein, was told to have them “on standby”.

According to Southern Shan State Generations (SSSG), a PDF based in the area, the junta has been pressuring local militias to “clear the territory” of resistance fighters.