A source in the Democratic Karen Benevolent Army (DKBA) told DVB that its Adjutant General Saw Sein Win’s home was attacked by a regime “suicide” drone, an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) which explodes upon impact, in Wawlay Myaing town of Myawaddy Township, Karen State, on Sunday. Myawaddy is located 81 miles (130 km) east of the Karen State capital Hpa-An.
“[The regime] is provoking us despite our cooperation,” the source told DVB on the condition of anonymity, adding that there were no casualties but the house was damaged. Saw Sein Win told Burma News International on July 7 that it would be “difficult for the DKBA” to assist the regime with its general elections – scheduled to begin in December – in territory under DKBA control if Naypyidaw cannot guarantee “genuine peace.”
Saw Sein Win represented the DKBA at the regime’s peace forum held in Naypyidaw from June 25-27. The DKBA Chief-of-staff Saw San Aung told DVB at a press conference on July 20 that the regime’s elections “would not reflect people’s opinions.” The DKBA is a signatory of the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) and has met for talks with the regime an unknown number of times since the 2021 military coup.
A political analyst with knowledge of the dynamic between ethnic armed groups in Karen State told DVB on the condition of anonymity that this regime drone attack is proof that pro-military forces “cannot trust” the regime.
The Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA), which opposed the 2021 coup and the regime in Naypyidaw, has been fighting regime forces over control of its Wawlay outpost near Wawlay Myaing since July 3.
Myawaddy residents told DVB that at least one civilian was killed by airstrikes carried out by the Myanmar Air Force on the DKBA headquarters at Sone See Myaing village in the township on May 28, following fighting between the KNLA and regime forces nearby.
Sources told DVB that the DKBA Chief Strategist Saw A One’s home was attacked by the Air Force on Jan. 21, 2023 but that no casualties were reported. The DKBA operates in Karen State’s Three Pagodas Pass, Hlaingbwe, Kyainseikgyi, and Manerplaw.
Kyainseikgyi was one of the 63 townships placed under martial law by Min Aung Hlaing on July 31 after the nationwide state of emergency – in place since the coup on Feb. 1, 2021 – was lifted.
