Karen State Border Guard Force battalions defy orders
The Karen National Union (KNU) told DVB that two of the 13 Karen Border Guard Force (BGF) battalions did not split from the regime to rebrand as the Karen National Army (KNA) on Jan. 1. Kler Doh, the KNU Brigade 5 spokesperson, said that the two BGF battalions are fighting in Hpapun District, which is located 109 miles (175 km) north of the Karen State capital Hpa-An.
Kler Doh added that the two BGF battalions are fighting alongside regime forces and assisting them by working as guides in Hpapun. Sources close to the KNU told DVB that pro-regime forces, including the BGF and the Democratic Karen Benevolent Army (DKBA), launched an attack against KNU positions in Hpapun in September. At least five other BGF battalions reportedly didn’t follow orders to adopt the KNA moniker.
A Karen political analyst told DVB that the two BGF battalions might be working as “agents” of the regime in Naypyidaw to collect military intelligence. BGF leader Chit Thu declared a split from the military in 2024, and began referring to his pro-military militia as the KNA. The BGF is headquartered in Shwe Kokko town, Myawaddy Township, located 91 miles (148 km) east of the Karen State capital Hpa-An.
Kawthoolei Army declares independence from Myanmar
The Kawthoolei Army (KTLA), a KNU splinter group, stated that it has established an independent republic in territory under its control in Myawaddy on Monday. It added that KTLA chief-of-staff Nerdah Mya, who is the son of former KNU leader Bo Mya, is the new president of the “independent Kawthoolei Republic” on Jan. 5, the 78th Karen Independence Day from Britain.
A political analyst in Karen State told DVB on the condition of anonymity that no “informed” individuals would support such a move, calling Nerdah Mya “incompetent and inexperienced.” Other independent analysts told DVB that the KTLA action “deepens divisions among Karen people.” The KNU accused Nerdah Mya of “extrajudicial killing” after 25 alleged spies for the regime in Naypyidaw were killed by the KTLA in June 2021.
The KTLA is an anti-military militia that split from the KNU in 2022 after its armed wings, the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) and the Karen National Defence Organization (KNDO), dismissed Nerdah Mya from his position as KNDO chief-of-staff on July 20, 2022. Three days before his dismissal Nerdah Mya established the KTLA. Read more
Solidarity Trade Union Myanmar assists striking factory workers
The Solidarity Trade Union Myanmar (STUM) told DVB that three rounds of negotiations between management of the JOC Myanmar garment factory and its staff over a wage dispute achieved no results Dec. 29 to Jan. 3. The factory is located in Yangon’s Shwepyitha Township.
A STUM spokesperson told DVB on the condition of anonymity that workers at JOC Myanmar garment factory went on strike Dec. 29 to protest a reduction in daily wages from 12,000 MMK ($3 USD) to 7,800 MMK ($2 USD).
During negotiations, workers demanded management reinstate their 12,000 MMK ($3 USD) daily wage along with paid overtime, bonuses, and free work uniforms. They report that their monthly wages have been reduced by over 150,000 MMK ($38.6 USD) per worker. Read more
News by Region
BAGO—Resistance forces told DVB that they launched an attack on military outposts near Letpadan, Sitkwin, Gyobingauk and Nattalin on Wednesday. The four towns are located along Yangon-Pyay Highway 89-149 miles (143-239 km) northeast and northwest of the region’s capital Bago.
“There were airstrikes on Wednesday, killing one of our comrades,” a spokesperson from one of the unnamed resistance groups, who is participating in the attacks, told DVB. Residents have been ordered not to travel along the Yangon-Pyay Highway in order to prevent civilian casualties.
CHINLAND—The Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) won both available seats in the Pyithu Hluttaw, as well as five of eight seats in the Amyotha Hluttaw. It also won six of 11 State Hluttaw seats in Tedim Township and the state capital Hakha during the first phase of voting on Dec. 28.
“People were not interested [in voting],” Salai Htet Ni, the Chin National Army (CNA) spokesperson, told DVB. The preliminary election results were released by the regime’s Union Election Commission (UEC) on Jan. 5 and 6. Read more
KARENNI—The Karenni Interim Executive Council (IEC) told DVB that residents staying temporarily at Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps may soon face severe hunger. An aid worker in Nanmekhon town told DVB that an unknown number of families are facing food shortages.
Banyar Aung, the IEC secretary, told DVB that it has assessed the food security situation and it is urgently seeking more humanitarian assistance through local and international partners. Nanmekhon is located nine miles (14 km) west of the state capital Loikaw. Read more
NAYPYIDAW—Regime Minister for Commerce Chit Swe met with China’s ambassador Ma Jia in Naypyidaw on Monday. The two discussed reopening border gates to boost trade between the neighbouring countries, as well as initiatives to promote economic benefits for communities living along the Burma-China border.
Trade gates with China, including the Mandalay-Muse trade route, were closed after Operation 1027 was launched by the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA), the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA), and the Arakan Army (AA)-known collectively as the Brotherhood Alliance-on Oct. 27, 2023.
(Exchange rate: $1 USD = 3,895 MMK)
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