To promote regional stability and unity among armed groups, leaders of two Karen armed factions, the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA) and the Border Guard Force (BGF), held discussions, according to local sources.

On August 18, senior leaders from DKBA and BGF met near Myawaddy at the DKBA headquarters in Sonesee Myaing. The meeting included DKBA’s Commander-in-Chief General Saw Steel, Deputy Commander-in-Chief Lieutenant General Saw Shwe Wah, Chief of Staff General Saw San Aung, Brigadier General Sai Kyaw Hla, and BGF’s Tactical Commander Colonel Saw Tin Win and Regional Commander Colonel Saw Mot Thon.

The discussions focused on uniting Karen armed groups under one flag and fostering peace for local communities. DKBA’s Deputy Commander-in-Chief Saw Shwe Wah emphasized the need for unity to enable peaceful living, while BGF’s Colonel Saw Mot Thon highlighted efforts to reduce conflict and allow displaced residents to return safely from Thailand.

Ongoing clashes between Myanmar’s military and armed groups along the Myawaddy-Kawkareik Asia Highway, as well as frequent conflicts along the Myanmar-Thailand border, have forced locals to flee to Thailand for safety. The meeting aimed to address these issues and find ways to resolve conflicts.

Notably, the Karen National Union (KNU) and the KNU/KNLA Peace Council did not participate in this meeting. Historically, these groups, along with DKBA and BGF, formed a Karen Armed Groups Unity Committee on May 28, 2013.