Saba yoi: Entering the third day of intense clashes in Saba Yoi District, Songkhla Province, this morning, there was continued shooting. The area has not yet been cleared, leaving villagers afraid to leave their homes.
According to Thai News Agency, today marks the third day since yesterday when there were loud gunfire incidents on a hill in Village No. 7, Khuha Subdistrict, Saba Yoi District, Songkhla Province. After the gunfire ceased, the area was cleared and religious leaders were invited to inspect and witness the incident. Officials confirmed the death of one insurgent. Last night, there were approximately 2-3 more clashes.
This morning, officials heard over 10 more clashes near the scene of yesterday's incident, but have yet to clear the area. All officials are safe, and they remain vigilant, using drone patrols since morning and deploying forces to all areas to pressure and contain the mountain ranges, searching for insurgents. The area is largely mountainous and borders Na Thawi District, Songkhla Province, where the insurgents may have fled. Security sources suspect that one or two insurgents remain in the mountains.
While the atmosphere in Village No. 7, Ban Huai Tao, is relatively quiet today, residents remain in their homes for safety. Additional personnel have been deployed at the village entrance following rumors of incitement by outsiders to pressure officials following the discovery of the body of a rebel yesterday.
Initially, officials believe the perpetrators are the group of Mr. Koseng Lateyama, who has over seven arrest warrants out for him, and Mr. Usni Yikasem, who has one warrant out for him, related to the unrest in Pattani Province. Approximately four or five of his men are hiding out and preparing to cause unrest in Saba Yoi District.
The Internal Security Operations Command Region 4 Forward Command requests the public's cooperation in reporting any suspicious individuals in the area to the direct line of the 4th Army Commander and the Director of Internal Security Operations Command Region 4 at 061-1732999, the ISOC Region 4 hotline at 1341, and local special operations units, available 24/7. The commander also warns that those who support or assist the perpetrators through various methods, such as concealment, providing shelter, or providing food supplies, are guilty of violating Section 189 of the Criminal Code and are liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years, a fine not exceeding 40,000 baht, or both.