Troops from the two groups exchanged fire near Thè Chaung Phyar Village in Kalain Aung Sub-Township of Yebyu Township on 8 September because of a territorial dispute.

The KNU Joint Secretary, Padoh Saw Thawthi Bwe confirmed to KIC News that leaders from the two ethnic armed organisations (EAOs) had held a meeting on the Thai Burma border on 15 October where an agreement was reached.

He said: “[The aim] was not to find the main issue but to find a solution to the issue. Officials from both sides have agreed on preventing future conflicts.”

Padoh Saw Thawthi Bwe led the 14-member KNU delegation and the NMSP Vice Chairman Nai Hongsar led the 12-member NMSP delegation at the meeting. They discussed how to prevent further conflict and territorial disputes between the two groups and the implementation of a joint committee made up of Karen and Mon representatives.

Previously there has been fighting between the KNU and the NMSP over territorial disagreements that have never been properly resolved.

Nai Hongsar said that the two groups would not be able to negotiate over territorial issues until the situation in the region stabilises.

Both groups have also agreed to re-appoint representatives to the Taung Pauk 24 Village Joint Administrative Committee and Territory Demarcation Committee, which was jointly established by the KNU and NMSP in 2006 and 2007.

Reporting by S’Phan Shaung for KIC News
Translated by Thida Linn
Edited in English by Mark Inkey for BNI