Democratic Karen Benevolent Army (DKBA) |
| Founded – 8 November 2010 Headquarters – Sone See Myaing village in Myawaddy Township in Karen State Active territories – Hlaingbwe Township, Kyainseikgyi-Phayathonesu valley, Kawkareik Township, Myawaddy Township Size – Around 3,000 Commander-in-Chief – General Saw Steel Adjutant General – Colonel Saw Sein Win At the ceremony to mark 29th anniversary of the founding DKBA on 21 December 2023, Commander-in-Chief General Saw Steel said that the DKBA would continue to adhere to the NCA to foster regional development and peace and consistently carry out education, health and regional development tasks in order that the people in areas under its control can live peacefully and enjoy a high standard of living. 1 Thousands of foreigners are reportedly being coerced into engaging in and held captive in casinos and online scams in Kyauk Khet village, an area under the control of the DKBA in Myawaddy District. Efforts are urgently needed to rescue them. As of 31 December 2023, casinos are still operating normally in Myawaddy, Shwe Kokko, Malhtawthalay, KK Park and Kyauk Khet, where Kyar Phyant (online gambling) gangs are active on the Thai-Myanmar border and near Myawaddy-Mae Sot. 2 On 10 July 2024, the DKBA issued a statement that as drug and gambling activities have been completely prohibited, it would take effective actions against those who disobey this order. Copies of this statement were addressed to the office of Myawaddy District Police Chief, Myoma police station, the Border Guard Force (BGF) and the Karen Peace Council (KPC) liaison offices in addition to the battalions, units and members under the DKBA. 3 The DKBA is an EAO that has been involved in informal talks with the military. On 18 March 2024, the DKBA became a member of the 7 EAO Alliance. Clashes with military There were four armed clash events between the military and DKBA, in 2021. There were no reports of armed clash events in 2022 and 2023. 1 DKBA military chief says they will continue to adhere to NCA for territorial peace, KIC, 21 December 2023 Contact Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/klohhtoobor/ Reference: Deciphering Myanmar’s Peace Process – A Reference Guide (2023 – 2024) |
