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Mae La Refugees Fear DKBA Attack

By SAW YAN NAING Wednesday, July 1, 2009
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Burmese refugees at Mae La refugee camp are on alert due to a threat of attack by the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA), according to the vice chairman of the camp. 

“The DKBA said they will destroy our camp,” said Vice-Chairman Htun Htun, speaking to The Irrawaddy on Wednesday.

Karen students walk in Mae La camp, near the Thai-Burmese border in Mae Sot district, Tak province, 600 km (373 miles) north of Bangkok. (Photo: Reuters)
Many of the refugees have packed clothing and belongings in preparation for a military assault, sources in nearby Mae Sot said. Camp authorities have imposed a curfew of 9 p.m. On all refugee residents.

The DKBA threatened to attack Mae La camp after one of their influential commanders, San Pyote (aka Soe Myint), the head of Battalion 7, was ambushed and killed by an unknown armed group while traveling by longtail boat on the Moei River on June 26.  

Mae La refugee camp is located on the Thai side of the river, not far from where the ambush took place. It is the largest refugee camp in Thailand and currently houses about 37,000 Burmese refugees—mostly Karens from Eastern Burma displaced by the ongoing civil war.  

Despite the camp being established on Thai soil in 1984, Mae La refugee camp has been attacked by the DKBA in the past.

After the DKBA split from the KNU in 1995, the splinter group staged daring attacks on several Karen refugee camps along the Thai-Burmese border with the help of Burmese troops. 

In 1997-98, Huay Kaloke refugee camp, about 10 km (6 miles) from Mae Sot, was attacked and burned down by DKBA soldiers.  

Former DKBA Battalion 7 commander San Pyote is rumored to have been behind the assassination of former Karen National Union (KNU) General-Secretary Mahn Sha on February 14, 2008.     

The Battalion 7 commander and seven others—believed to be DKBA soldiers and porters—were killed as they were returning to DKBA Battalion 999 base in Shwe Koko in Karen State. Another eight soldiers were reportedly injured in the attack. The DKBA have blamed the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA), the armed wing of the KNU, for the deadly ambush.

DKBA soldiers reportedly gunned down two Karen villagers on Thai soil a few days after they seized KNLA Brigade 7 headquarters on June 23.

After the fall of KNLA Brigade 7, many observers and sources in Mae Sot predicted that more targeted killings would take place between the Karen enemies, because the DKBA will have more access to Mae Sot, traditionally the home base of the KNU.

In August 2007, Lt-Col Kyi Linn, a commander of the KNLA Battalion 18 was shot dead while crossing the Haungthayaw River in Kawkareik Township, Karen State, after meeting government officials and other Karen ceasefire groups, including the DKBA.   

Mahn Sha’s death came two weeks after the death of Col Ler Moo, son-in-law of Maj Gen Htain Maung, leader of a Karen breakaway group, the KNU/KNLA Peace Council. Ler Moon was killed in January 2008 and Mahn Sha was suspected of being involved.   

After Mahn Sha’s assassination, two more KNLA senior military leaders were rumored to also be on the Karen splinter groups’ hit list: Gen Mu Tu, commander in chief of the KNLA and Brig-Gen Jonny, commander of KNLA Brigade 7.



COMMENTS (8)
 
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titi Wrote:
14/07/2009
To K.Y.O:

Don't forget to put the KNU or KNLA there, because I feel like we all are in the same situation. That's right, that's why we need to come together and talk. we can do that because we are Karens. If we can't do this among our Karens there is no way to do this with the SPDC.

K.Y.O Wrote:
10/07/2009
The KNU/KNLAPC/DKBA all say they fighting for their people (Karen) That's true. I agree
with them but practicaly they don't know which way is right and which way is wrong. They just fight in the darkness.

titi Wrote:
03/07/2009
Reading some of the comments here, I feel that rather than giving our opinions and having a constructive discussion, we are attacking each other, like the KNU and the DKBA. I must say this is not a battlefield. We all have our own weaknesses, so let's not jump to the conclusion that because you think one person is bad, the whole organization is bad. That's the not the point.

The KNU, KNLA, DKBA, KNU/KNLAPC and other Karen ceasefire groups all need to find a peaceful solution among ourselves. I think because of this 'attacking' attitude, it's hard to compromise among ourselves. And who is suffering? Civilians who want to live their life peacefully. So let's help each other out here.

Coffee Wrote:
03/07/2009
Timothy, you betray your Karen people and other ethnic groups. You don't know the word "Peace Council". Peace Council never comes with personal benefit or a small group benefit. You're a fake religious worker mixing with political work since you're in Chiang Mai. You will be punished by your God. Be ready for the reward for what you've done. Good luck!

nono Wrote:
03/07/2009
The loser wants to end the war by peaceful means but not the winner. The SPDC will never say that. You can't provide peace for the Karen people by obeying the SPDC. Give the SPDC your everything and they will give you peace.(Timothy 66:6). That's what Than Shwe said.

Phone Naing Wrote:
02/07/2009
Dear Timothy,
The KNU/KNLAPC/DKBA said that they are working for the Karen cause and the KNU/KNLAPC, too. My questions to you who surrender to the SPDC are, 1. What kind of work are you doing for the cause of the Karen and long-term peace? What have you done for the two Karen women who were raped during the attack on Brigades 7 by the SPDC? Do you mean to stand unwavering for the right of all Karens? It is an unbelievable policy, aim and objectives you guys have.

KNUKNLAPC Wrote:
02/07/2009
Dear Irrawaddy,

First of all, thank you for publishing our statement. Please bear in mind you need to publish the statement in its true form. This statement is representing the entire Executive Committee of the KNU/KNLA Peace Council collectively. You have added "Timothy", which was not in the original post. It is not a one-man show.


KNUKNLAPC Wrote:
02/07/2009
In reference to Saw Yan Naing’s news article “Mae La Refugees Fear DKBA Attack,” we are appalled at the implication of Irrawaddy Magazine in projecting that the KNU/KNLA Peace Council has a hit list against certain persons.

The KNU/KNLA Peace Council abhor such practices. We have not and will not take part in such things. It is against our policy. We are for all Karen. We do not consider any Karen our ‘enemy’. Our aim is to put an end to war by peaceful means so our Karen people can live in long-term peace. We are not the instruments or puppets of any government. We oppose all violence and will continue to stand unwavering for the right of all Karens. We strongly oppose any incident of Karen killing Karen. We abide by our KNU/KNLA Peace Council Constitution and high moral standards at all times.

Timothy
Executive Committee
KNU/KNLA Peace Council





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