Jaloon Htaw : Fighting began today between a faction of the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA) and Burmese soldiers [SPDC] at the Thai-Burmese Border in Three Pagoda Pass (TPP). Heavy fighting crossed the border onto the Thai side and wounded one Thai soldiers.
Fighting began today around 12 p.m. and is on-going.
According to an eyewitness, the two Thai soldiers who received gun shots were sent to the Kanchanaburi District hospital, which is three hours away, at 2 p.m. today.
Four Burmese soldiers have also reported dead as well as three wounded. The Burmese soldiers have not yet received reinforcements.
As of 5 p.m., the DKBA has control of the Government Hospital, the Forestry Department, and the Sa-Ya-Pha (The Burmese Military Security Affairs Unit).
The fighting has involved 80 Burmese soldiers and 100 DKBA soldiers. The Burmese soldiers are located at Natgar-Toung, Bayienoungkoung, and Pinmakoung. The DKBA, though, has infiltrated throughout TPP town and the surroundings.
The DKBA army is led by Captain Ayeone, Captain Htoo Moung, Major Mam Thein and Major Soe Moe. The Karen National Union, another Karen military group has provided help for the DKBA in the area.
“The situation will be bad this evening because after sunset the fighting will increase,” explained one TPP resident. Now all of the shops and the center of TPP has closed.
The DKBA has announced that no one should leave their residences after 5 p.m. DKBA soldiers will not be able to differentiate between residents and soldiers once its dark out, and they will shoot anyone they see.
Many TPP residents fled to the Thai side. Thai authorities have given them a temporary place to stay and will discuss this situation further with the Burmese authorities.
