In the town of Mae Sot, Thailand, a significant event unfolded on April 11. The Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA), the armed branch of Myanmar’s Karen National Union (KNU), known for its opposition to the military coup, successfully seized control of the 275 Light Infantry Battalion base located approximately 5km west of Myawaddy, a town of great strategic importance on the border between Myanmar and Thailand.
Following the operation, the KNU proudly announced their advancement, showcasing images of their troops positioned at the city’s entrance. While the liberation of Myawaddy seemed imminent, it turned out that the situation was more complex than initially perceived.
Shortly after the KNLA’s takeover, the Myanmar military swiftly regained control of the base, as depicted in a photo showing their soldiers hoisting the national flag once again. This unexpected turn of events left many puzzled.
Insights gathered from interviews with Myawaddy locals, sources linked to the offensive, and experts revealed that the KNLA did not fully capture the town. Instead, Myawaddy was under the jurisdiction of the Border Guard Forces (BGF), a well-known militia operating in the border regions inhabited by the Karen ethnic group, the second largest in Myanmar. At the center of this development stands Colonel Saw Chit Thu, an influential Karen leader overseeing the BGF armed forces.
According to a confidential source affiliated with a Karen ethnic armed group, “Contrary to popular belief, the KNLA did not seize control of Myawaddy. Following the retreat of the junta’s troops from the 275th LIB, the BGF assumed authority over the town. Colonel Saw Chit Thu emphasized their neutrality to prevent internal conflicts within the city.”
During the capture of the 275th LIB, the BGF played a crucial role in facilitating the transfer of junta troops to the 2nd Friendship Bridge. While the KNLA was granted access to the city, they were not sanctioned to occupy it or engage with any…
Link from www.aljazeera.com