{"id":71049,"date":"2016-05-20T02:40:48","date_gmt":"2016-05-20T02:40:48","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/freeburmarangers.dreamhosters.com\/?p=71049"},"modified":"2016-09-16T02:44:59","modified_gmt":"2016-09-16T02:44:59","slug":"multiple-forces-in-the-divide-an-update-on-karen-7th-brigade-region","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wp.freeburmarangers.org\/my\/2016\/05\/20\/multiple-forces-in-the-divide-an-update-on-karen-7th-brigade-region\/","title":{"rendered":"Multiple forces in the Divide, An Update on Karen 7th Brigade Region"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n
\n
\n
\n

Multiple forces in the Divide, An Update on Karen 7th Brigade Region<\/h1>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\n
\n
Karen State, Burma, May 20, 2016<\/em><\/div>\n
\n
\"General
General Area of the 7th KNU Brigade<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n

Overview<\/h2>\n
Once one of the strongest regions in Burma for the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA), the area around KNLA 7th Brigade now stands as one of the most divided. As of March, 2016, the area is now split into six different territories controlled by six different armed groups: the Burma Army, the KNLA, the KNLA PC, the Democratic Karen Benevolent Army 1st Brigade (DKBA 1), a rogue faction of former DKBA soldiers known as the DKBA 2nd Brigade (DKBA 2), and the Border Guard Force (BGF). Despite the divisions the ceasefire is still holding and with the exception of the DKBA 2, all military organizations are maintaining peaceful relations and maintaining a positive line of communication.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Within the gaps however, instances of lawlessness have arisen, and there are still many unsolved problems that continue to affect the 7th Brigade region.<\/div>\n

<\/h2>\n

Landmines<\/h2>\n
Neither the Burma Army nor the KNLA are laying new landmines in the area, however, the issue of old landmines and minefields still persist.<\/div>\n

<\/h2>\n

Military Update<\/h2>\n

\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

<\/div>\n
\n

Burma Army<\/strong><\/p>\n

Size – More than 20 battalions<\/p>\n

Activity – Stays in camp, not patrolling often<\/p>\n

Location – Hilltop 962, Hilltop 913 (close to Mannerplaw), Kawkawhtaw<\/p>\n

Unit – Light Infantry Battalion 204 and Division 44<\/p>\n

Equipment – Small Arms, RPG\u2019s, 120 mm mortar, armored riverine patrol boat (.50 caliber mounted), no tank\/airplane\/helicopters. 16\/17 supply trucks<\/p>\n

Karen National Liberation Army PC<\/strong><\/p>\n

Size – Unknown<\/p>\n

Activity – Stay in Camp<\/p>\n

Location – Tohkawkoe<\/p>\n

Unit – Unknown<\/p>\n

Equipment – Small Arms, 81mm mortar, 60 mm mortar, RPG\u2019s<\/p>\n

Democratic Karen Buddhist Army Brigade 1<\/strong><\/p>\n

Size – Unknown, varies due to conscription<\/p>\n

Activity – Occasional patrols<\/p>\n

Location – Walley<\/p>\n

Unit – None<\/p>\n

Equipment – Small Arms, RPG<\/p>\n

Notes: Will randomly conscript villagers to go on patrol with them. Some villagers give consent, some do not indicating forced conscription.<\/p>\n

Democratic Karen Buddhist Army Brigade 2<\/strong><\/p>\n

Size – Unknown, possibly around 50<\/p>\n

Activity – Taxing people in their region, not patrolling<\/p>\n

Location – \u00a0Hteekaneh<\/p>\n

Unit – DKBA 2 2<\/p>\n

Equipment – Small Arms, RPG<\/p>\n

Notes: According to local sources the DKBA 2 is no longer officially associated with the DKBA, and have become an rogue isolated faction in K7. Their main activities have involved them levying a tax on local villagers: amount unknown. The DKBA 2 has also withdrawn from communication with other major armed groups.<\/p>\n

Border Guard Force<\/strong><\/p>\n

Size – 1 battalion, 60\/70 soldiers<\/p>\n

Activity – Taxing, charging for a temporary license for cars or trucks: 100,000 Kyat (~ $84USD)<\/p>\n

Location – Bobawhtah<\/p>\n

Unit – 1016<\/p>\n

Equipment – Small arms, \u00a0RPG, .50 caliber machine gun(s)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n