The KNU Brigade 5 clashed with the Tatmadaw, in Mae Wai area of Hpapun Township, Karen State, after the Tatmadaw violated the terms of the National Ceasefire Agreement (NCA).
Mon News Agency correspondent Sai Win Oo spoke to Pado Mahn Mahn, a spokesman for the 5th Brigade, about the latest armed conflict.
Question: Can you tell us the latest news in Mae Wai?
Answer: We heard that the Tatmadaw had increased its presence with three military bases. They also increased their security and military operations. In addition to these developments, there have been recent threats, shootings at night, including the use of heavy artillery. Once again, villagers are facing restrictions on their movements. Because it is paddy season, the restrictions affect their ability to go outside.
Question: What about the Border Guard Force (BGF) situation?
Answer: The BGF have always been under the control of the Tatmadaw, and they are often used tactically. Many in this Karen National Union (KNU) area started with the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA). Since the break-up of the KNU, the Burmese army has been using the BGF to fight the DKBA, pitting them against the KNU. The BGF is being transformed into the KNU. This is because the BGF is under the control of the Tatmadaw.
Question: What do you have to say about the December 15 military statement?
Answer: We have to start from the NCA agreement. The NCA agreement has to continue to discuss military issues, and when there is no further negotiation on the important points in Accord 3 of the military, we will continue to have such conflicts. That is the basic reason for the resumption of shootings. Prior to the signing of the NCA, a bilateral agreement was signed with the KNU, and we proposed a withdrawal of the Tatmadaw bases. We have already submitted the guidelines on which withdrawal route is not possible. However, if they come from there, there will be casualties and clashes. It has been four or five years since the NCA was signed, and the Bilateral Ceasefire has been going on for seven or eight years now. If we look back at this, we can see that the military and the government have taken advantage of this and expanded their administrative and territorial control.
Question : How many people have fled the fighting?
Answer : We had heard the number was in the hundreds, but we heard yesterday in villages such as Mae Nae and Mae Phyu that there were thousands who had fled. More than ten villages and hundreds of families have fled the areas where fighting occured.
Question : What are the negotiations between the two officials?
Answer : To some extent, we have no communication on military matters, to some extent, the central has joined forces with the Joint Monitoring Ceasefire (JMC), which is based on the NCA agreement. This will be discussed further. At the bottom, there is no word on what the two armies will do. However, the Burmese military has also objected to us, and we have also sent letters of protest on the basis of our JMC.
Question : Can you explain the Karen National LIberation Army (KNLA) demands made on December 1?
Answer : In particular, as I said earlier, when it comes to the NCA, if we want a ceasefire, we have to have guidelines and a demarcation. We have already requested this. When the demands are not implemented, there is more confusion. The confusion escalated, just as the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) warned on December 1, 2020. The Tatmadaw camps did not retreat and in fact expanded even more so after the NCA. That is what the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) said in their statement.
Question : What can happen in the future?
Answer : The best way forward is to negotiate the three points of Accord – 3 of the NCA agreement. The deployment and withdrawal of troops is the first major step. The second step is to improve political dialogue. If the political dialogue does not progress, there will be more shootings on both sides. Looking back, the fourth 21st Panglong Conference has never been the result of any political dialogue. Because when the fourth Union Treaty came out under the 2008 constitution, peace could not be implemented. We also believe that our civil war will not be able to continue without a political agreement that can amend the 2008 constitution, because the main problem is the constitution, which is well known throughout the country.
Question : Can you tell us more about the battle?
Answer : The main thing is to focus on military issues based on the NCA agreement regarding demarcation of territory. Second, there must be meaningful political dialogue. That’s all we have to say.
