KNU and Tatmadaw clash near Thai border

By DMG 27 Mar 2021

DMG Newsroom
27 March 2021, Sittwe 

The Karen National Union (KNU) and the Tatmadaw clashed in Thee Mu Hta along the Myanmar-Thai border at 6:15 a.m. on March 27, according to a press statement from the ethnic armed group. 

A 45-minute clash broke out between the Tatmadaw’s Light Infantry Battalion No. 349 under the State Administration Council’s Southern Command and the KNU, with the Karen ethnic group able to completely occupy the military’s outpost, said Bado Mahn Mahn, spokesperson for the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) Brigade 5. 

“The State Administration Council extended its military presence in the areas controlled by KNU. Today, the Tatmadaw celebrated Armed Forces Day and fighting erupted between the Myanmar army and KNU,” he said. 

The Tatmadaw-led State Administration Council could not be reached for comment about Saturday’s clash. 

In a statement, the KNU said that it opposes the military’s takeover and has stated that it will not accept any other administrative mechanism in its territory. 

In addition, the KNU is committed to joining the “Spring Revolution” and supporting the Committee Representing Pyidaungsu Hluttaw (CRPH), Bado Mahn Mahn added. 

“The military junta must stop its terrorist activities as soon as possible. The State Administration Council needs to withdraw its military outposts in Kawthoolei region [the area held by KNU]. If the SAC withdraws its military outposts, we will allow them to do so peacefully,” he said. 

He added that the KNU has demanded that the State Administration Council hand over power to the democratically elected government. 

In addition, the KNU’s Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) Brigade 5 has informed the people that it will step up its efforts to protect the people.