Myanmar Military Urged Against Five Armed Ethnic Groups In Karen State

Arms and ammunition of the Myanmar military regime confiscated ethnic armed. (Twitter/@chinmemes)

JAKARTA - Fierce fighting for several days between the Myanmar military regime forces and the Karen Border Guard Force (BGF), against the combined splinter groups of the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA), People's Defense Forces (PDF), Karen National Union/Karen National Liberation Army Peace Council (KNU/KNLA-PC), Karen National Defense Organization (KNDO) and splinter BGF as well as in Myawaddy District, Karen State.

Clashes broke out on Tuesday in Phlu village, after the DKBA splinter group reportedly detained three police officers, including the city's police chief Waw Lay and a firefighter. The fighting has forced more than 400 residents into Mae Sot across the Thai border.

Brigadier General Saw Kyaw Thet, head of the DKBA splinter group, said heavy fighting took place on Tuesday and Wednesday. He said the Myanmar military regime entered their territory without permission, deploying large numbers of troops.

"They used a lot of 120mm artillery shells, as well as air strikes. We are not worried, tensions remain high," said Saw Kyaw Thet, as reported by The Irrawaddy, Friday, June 4.

Regarding the raid on the police station in Way Lay, he explained, Waw Lay was in the KNU area. The battle took place with the group led by Major General Nar Damya.

"We don't know much about the Waw Lay case. But in Phlu village, our group is against the regime. The DKBA is not fighting there alone. The other four groups include PDF, KNU/KNLA (PC), KNDO and a splinter group from the BGF, consisting of of more than 50 soldiers, fighting with us," he explained

He further explained that the BGF splinter groups who joined the resistance against the Myanmar military regime also brought their weapons and ammunition.

"We are working together based on trust as an alliance. We are not only working together in Phlu, but also in Kawkareik and throughout Karen State. We are present in almost all parts of Karen State," said the one-star general.

"If the military council resigns, we will do nothing. But if not, the fighting will continue until it gives power to the elected government," he stressed.

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