He denied his army’s involvement after he was contacted by the KIC News on January 8 concerning the accusation made by the DKBA splinter faction’s joint chief-of-staff Maj-Gen Saw Tai Shwe, also known as Bo Bei.

“It’s groundless accusing as a joint attack. We only deployed our security forces to prevent both armies entering our area. We have to set up camp in order not to accept it. Many rumors have come out like being involved in the fighting. We were only safeguarding our area. I’m saying this officially,” he said.

However, the DKBA splinter faction’s joint chief of staff Maj-Gen Bo Bei told Karen Breaking News, a Kayin language Facebook page, that combined troops from the KNLA, the Tatmadaw, and the BGF have been launching heavy offensives against his army and they are currently reinforcing the troops.

“We didn’t invade their area. They fired at us like we are dogs or pigs. We couldn’t avoid defending ourselves. Now, they are trying to reinforce their troops much more. They are sending for more troops from the brigades and battalions. The Tatmadaw is also sending its troops. The BGF has sent more troops,” he said.

Bo Bei accused the KNLA troops of setting up mines in the areas where the DKBA splinter faction troops are active. KNLA purposefully burnt down rice barns to make food shortage.

Over 7,000 local residents fled from the fighting between the BGF and the DKBA splinter faction in Mae Tha Waw area in September, 2016 and they are still taking refuge in Myaing Gyi Ngu, Htee Thay Khee, and Ka Law Dae Htar.

Both sides suffered losses in the clashes and the DKBA splinter faction lost most of its stronghold areas.

Eleven members of the DKBA splinter faction surrendered their arms to the BGF on December 4.