Ten members of the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA splinter faction), also known as the Klohtoobaw Karen Organization (KKO), surrendered to the Border Guard Forces along with their arms and ammunition near Kyonhtaw Waterfall in Myaing Gyi Ngu, Mae Tha Waw area in the Kayin State on January 7.
“It’s true that ten armed men surrendered to our Kyonhtaw Waterfall BGF base with their arms and ammunition. Both the BGF and the Tatmadaw have welcomed their return and we have given them shelter in Myaing Gyi Ngu,” said Captain Saw Zaw Lin, head of the Border Guard Forces Management.
Fighting have resumed between the KKO and the Tatmadaw and the BGF in the area after over a year.
Although fighting has not stopped between them, this is the third time the KKO members surrendered to the Tatmadaw and the BGF, according to the BGF members.
According to the office of the Tatmadaw’s Commander-in-Chief Facebook page, the defected members brought ten guns, 82 rounds of bullets, nine magazines, and three 40-mm grenades.
“When other groups defected in the past, the authorities inspected them and handed them over to Myaing Gyi Ngu Sayadaw. Some of them became monks and novices and assisted the Sayadaw in religious works. Some of them went back to live with their families. We don’t want any more fighting among the Kayin people,” said Saw Achiek, a displaced villager.
Over 5,600 residents from over 30 villages are unable to return home due to the fighting in the region and they are facing difficulties in education, health, and food supply.
Officials from Myaing Gyi Ngu Internally Displaced Person (IDP) Camp said the camp has been relying on local and foreign donors to provide food to the IDPs.
