[Bangkok Post] Eighteen defense volunteers were wounded – six seriously – in attacks on their village outpost in Yala province early Friday. The heavily-armed attackers sprayed bullets at the volunteer outpost in Yaha district. Then the attackers threw Molotov cocktails onto the roof, setting it on fire. Some volunteers returned fire while others tried to combat the blaze. Both sides exchanged the gunfire for more than a half-hour. Several volunteers were wounded and ran from the fire-gutted outpost.
Shortly thereafter, some assailants entered the outpost to steal weapons. After being alerted, police, soldiers and rescue workers rushed to the fort, but were obstructed by a power pole toppled and spikes scattered across the road near from the clash.
The outpost was damaged by fire, its walls peppered with bullet holes. Hundreds of spent assault-rifle cartridges were scattered about the scene. A total of 18 volunteers were hurt.
| An Nahar adds some background: |
"The rebels want to re-assert their power as now villagers are co-operating with state authorities," he said, adding the security volunteers were Muslim.
The simmering conflict pits shadowy Malay Muslim rebels against security forces from Thailand, which annexed the region more than a century ago.
More than 6,400 people have been killed since 2004, the majority Buddhist and Muslim civilians targeted for their perceived support for the Thai state.
Rebels have said they want a level of autonomy for the region, which borders Malaysia, accusing Thailand of widespread rights abuses -- including extrajudicial killings -- and railroading the distinct local culture with forced assimilation schemes.
Tens of thousands of soldiers, police and paramilitaries enforce security across the impoverished South.
Thailand also pays and arms thousands of village volunteers to provide their own security, especially in remote Muslim areas.
Last year the military government said it had distributed 2,700 assault rifles to volunteers to provide local level protection -- a move seemingly at odds with peace overtures.