Officials from the Democratic Karen Benevolent Army (DKBA) and the New Mon State Party (NMSP) met on the afternoon of November 29 in Phayarthonzu town, and an agreement was reached to withdraw troops from both sides, according to sources close to the party.

In addition to the construction of a new checkpoint between Phayarthonzu town and Japan Yaydwin Village, about 250 meters from the security gate of the NMSP camp in Japan Yaydwin Village, Phayarthonzu town, DKBA forces have been occupying areas near the Dhamma Vihara Monastery near the NMSP-controlled area, the western side of the Phayarthonzu Police Station, the western side of the Myo Ma Police Station leading to Kyandaw Village, and the Thai-Myanmar border road, which has led to tensions between the NMSP and DKBA since November 27.

Due to this situation, DKBA officials and officials led by Nai Aung Ma Ngae, in charge of the Internal Affairs Department of the NMSP, met at the residence of Colonel Saw Aye Wan, DKBA No. 2 Tactical Commander, located on Thiri Yadana Road, Ward No. 1, Phayarthonzu town at 2 pm on November 29.

During the more than three-hour meeting, an agreement was reached that the DKBA side would withdraw its gate in Kyandaw Village, and the NMSP side would withdraw its gate on the road to Japan Yaydwin Village, according to a NMSP official.

In addition, after the meeting between officials from both sides of the DKBA and NMSP, DKBA troops stationed in the rubber plantations along the Thai-Myanmar border in Phayarthonzu town leading to Kyandaw Village were withdrawn on the evening of November 29, according to sources close to the DKBA.

According to locals, the Thai side also conducted rescue operations during the ongoing tensions between the DKBA and NMSP.

The DKBA and the NMSP are ethnic armed organizations that have signed the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA).

After the burning of departmental offices in Phayarthonzu town, Kya-in-Seikkyi Township, Kayin State on the night of January 23, 2023, ethnic armed groups such as the Karen National Union (KNU), the Karen Peace Council (KNU/KNLA – (PC), the Karen Border Guard Force (BGF) and the NMSP led by the DKBA are providing security to Phayarthonzu town, and the military is only inside the camp, according to residents.