Karen Information Center / BNI Online | September 10, 2018

Skirmishes have broken out between the Tatmadaw and the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) in the KNU Brigade 5 area in the Karen (Kayin) State, Major Saw Ka Leh Doh from the KNU Brigade 5 said to KIC News on September 9.

“Skirmishes are still breaking out sporadically. A skirmish broke out in Ta Lah Aw Ka Lar area under Bu Tho Township at 7:24 pm

[on September 8). The skirmish broke out between the KNLA’s 4th Company under the 102nd Battalion and the Tatmadaw’s 207th Light Infantry Battalion (LIB-207) under the 44th Light Infantry Division (LID-44),” said Major Saw Ka Leh Doh.

He continued that the skirmish broke out after the Tatmadaw overstepped the area controlled by the KNLA’s 4th Company under the 102nd Battalion.

Skirmishes resumed between the troops under the KNU Brigade 5 and the Tatmadaw since August 28 and tensions remain high and skirmishes are still breaking out up to now.

The KNU Brigade 5 sent a letter of objection to the commander of the Tatmadaw’s South Eastern Command on August 29 after the Tatmadaw’s 2nd Infantry Battalion (IB-2) under LID-44 exchanged fire with the KNU Brigade 5 in the area between Ein Kone Village and Noh Hta in Hpapun Township on August 28.

A skirmish also broke out between the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA splinter group) and the KNLA Brigade 5 in Ka Ma Maung Township on August 29 and a soldier from the KNLA was injured after he stepped on a landmine he had set up.

Less than five skirmishes have broken out between the government, the DKBA, and the KNU Brigade 5 since August and tensions may rise in the KNU Brigade 2 area, according to the KNU Brigade 5.

Over 200 local residents have fled to Myaing Gyi Ngu area due to the resume in fighting.

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This article originally appeared on BNI Online on September 10, 2018. 

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