Offensive against KNLA Brigade 5 planned for next month
Posted on August 17, 2009
Filed Under Burma news, Karen news | Comments Off
DKBA soldiers
Following the successful offensive against the Karen National Liberation Army’s 7th Brigade, a joint force of Burmese Army and Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA) troops is planning to launch an offensive against the KNLA’s Brigade 5 in northern Karen State, to the west of Brigade 7.
According to The Irrawaddy, they are targeting Brigade 5 and Karen bases along the Salween River.
Baw Kyaw, Brigade 5’s commander is quoted as saying he expects the offensive to come soon.
Villagers in the area have been put on alert, as have refugees in Ei Tu Hta, a temporary camp run by the Karen National Union on the Salween River.
In June, the Burmese Army, together with the DKBA, a Karen splinter group that has signed a ceasefire agreement with the junta, launched a major offensive against the KNLA’s 7th Brigade, just north of Mae Sot (see: 7th Brigade Headquarters falls).
The offensive lasted for several weeks and forced thousands of Karen villagers to flee across the border into Thailand (see: Villagers flee offensive as Thailand prepares for influx of refugees).
Following the fall of 7th Brigade headquarters, there were rumours that 5th Brigade would be next.
The DKBA appears to be trying to gain control of the border, ahead of plans for it to transform into a border guard force following elections planned for next year.
Should the DKBA gain control of the Salween River, it will be harder for Karen relief groups to transport supplies to areas still under Karen control. It will also allow the DKBA to profit from taxes on border trade.
Related posts:
- Villagers forced to relocate as DKBA prepares for assault on Brigade 5 The Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA) is taking up positions...
- DKBA Colonel killed in ambush by KNLA Colonel San Pyone, commander of Battalion 7 of the Democratic...
- Battle for 7 Brigade headquarters intensifies A joint force of Burmese Army and Democratic Karen Buddhist...
- DKBA using villagers to reconstruct base in 7 Brigade area The Democratic Karen Buddhist Army has ordered villagers in the...
- Pro-junta troops defect to KNU Around 70 members of the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA)...
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