Karen Groups Join Forces on the Frontline

Karen Groups Join Forces on the Frontline
April 26, 2011

Soon after attacking an unidentified Border Guard Force (BGF) unit at their headquarters last Friday, some 28 members of BGF Unit 1012 made contact with Brigade 5 of the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) in Papun, northern Karen State, according to Karen military sources.

Led by their commanding officer, Pa Mee, BGF Unit 1012 clashed with the other BGF unit at Myaing Gyi Ngu in southern Karen State, in fighting that reportedly claimed three lives. The breakaway BGF unit also burned down one military barracks and an ammunition store, sources said.

“The same day they launched the attack, they crossed the western Salween River and entered territory controlled by KNLA Brigade 5,” said Brig-Gen Johnny, the commander of KNLA Brigade 7. “They brought only about 30 small rifles, after burning any heavy weapons they couldn’t carry with them.”

The breakaway unit of the Burmese military-led BGF is now meeting with KNLA Brigade 5 leaders and “have joined hands with the KNU,” said Johnny, referring to the Karen National Union, the political wing of the KNLA. “They will return to us soon,” he added.

Meanwhile, a unit of Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA) Brigade 5, led by Brig-Gen Saw Lah Pwe, also launched a major attack against Burmese government troops from Light Infantry Battalion (LIB) 543 in Kyeikdon Township on Sunday, said Karen sources close to the DKBA.

The battle lasted 12 hours and resulted in the death of around 19 Burmese soldiers and injuries to another 17, said the sources.

The assault followed an attack on Saturday by another unit of DKBA Brigade 5 that targeted LIB 212 in Ka Ma Kaung in Papun District. No casualties were reported, but the Burmese army unit’s food and ammunition stores were destroyed.

Karen observers said that fighting in towns has been increasing since DKBA Brigade 5, which refused to join the BGF last year along with the rest of the DKBA, announced that it would focus its military strategy on targeted urban areas. They also said that the KNLA, DKBA Brigade 5 and some Karen BGF soldiers have been cooperating on the frontline.

“We are in good contact with each other. We exchange information and work with understanding,” said a major from KNLA Brigade 5. Many BGF members are unhappy serving in the BGF and want to join forces with the KNU, he added.

According to a KNLA Brigade 7 report, at least 67 soldiers from BGF units 1015, 1016 and 1019 defected to the KNLA between January and April, most saying they were unwilling to serve under Burmese army command.

DKBA Brigade 5 is now backed by the KNLA as it continues to launch urban attacks against government troops.

Brig-Gen Johnny said he expected more BGF soldiers to return to the KNLA as a result of internal conflicts in the BGF.

“We will be united when the important time comes,” said Johnny.

He said that it is time for the new Burmese government to sit down with the ethnic armed groups and engage in serious talks aimed at ending decades of conflict. Armed conflict is not the answer, he said, adding that it was up to the government to take the initiative to end the bloodshed.

“The government has to realize that they can’t defeat us easily. Our resistance has continued for six decades, and they haven’t been able to defeat us yet,” said Johnny.