DKBA and Burma Army Fighting Forces Kawkareik Traffic to a Standstill

Fighting between government troops and soldiers from the Democratic Karen Benevolent Army broke out yesterday, March 11 at around 2 pm near Kawkareik Town.

DKBA sources confirmed to Karen News that the fighting was between the government’s Light Infantry Battalion 231, under its Military Operation Command 12, based at Kyaung Sha Gon and Ywa Thit villages, four miles south of Kawkariek Town and the DKBA troop Battalion 907 under its Klo Htoo Wah Military Command.

The DKBA’s Colonel Saw Kyaw Thet spoke to Karen News about the fighting.

“The fighting was not with Major San Aung’s group. The fighting broke out as government troop came into our controlled territory. We have told them not to come into our area. But they came, (without permission) so there was fighting.”

Colonel Kyaw Thet said that according to his information, at least four Burma Army soldiers were wounded and the Kawkareik Town based government troops Light Infantry #230 and #97 have sent reinforcements to the area.

A resident from Kawkariek town who witnessed the situation told Karen News.

“We heard the sound of guns and we knew fighting had started. We also saw two fully loaded [Burma Army] trucks headed to the area. Many cars going to Myawaddy turned back to Kawkareik.”

Tension between DKBA and government troops has increased since the Burma Army set up its base in the area on March 10. Witnesses said the fighting started yesterday afternoon and continue until late evening.