(Articles direct from The IRRAWADDY
& YE MOE FACEBOOK on 29 November 2016.)
Since 20th November surprise attacks on the Muse Trading Post on Burma-China border by KIA-led Northern Alliance insurgents the nearby town Mone-Koe has been the scene of devastating battle and skirmishes between the defending Burmese army and the attacking ethnic insurgents.
Geographically the Mone-koe town is located right on the border line and surrounded by many hills of great heights ranging from 1,500 to 2,000 ft. and the small town is down below in the valley. Since the beginning of hostilities on 20th November the attacking Northern Alliance insurgents have held positions on six or seven hilltops overlooking the town and Burmese army defenders are holding their fortified positions on two low hills – Tactical Hill and Guard Hill - just outside the town.
Most of the town folks, the Chinese, have abandoned their homes and taken refuge in neighboring China while the rest, presumably Burmese and Shans, are now taking refuge in the army compound. Insurgents mainly in the town are relentlessly attacking the army while many insurgents on surrounding are blocking and thus preventing the army reinforcement from reaching the Burmese army units being trapped inside the town.