Three ethnic Karen leaders yesterday opened negotiations with the Democratic Karen Benevolent Association (DKBA) to halt the fighting between the DKBA and Myanmar government forces near the Thai border, according to Col Sophon Nanthasuwan, chief of the 4th Infantry Regiment Taskforce in Tak's Mae Sot district.
Col Sophon said leaders of three ethnic Karen forces — the Karen National Union, the Karen Border Guard Force and the Karen National Liberation Army — yesterday spoke to Brig Gen Kyaw Thet, who heads the Klo Htoo Wah tactical unit, the splinter group of the DKBA, in Myanmar's Kayin province.
They held talks to seek an end to deadly clashes between the DKBA and Myanmar forces and restore peace on the Thai-Myanmar border in Myanmar's Myawaddy district opposite Mae Sot district.
Col Sophon, however, said the clashes between Myanmar forces and ethnic Karen soldiers have been limited to Myanmar's side of the border and do not affect cross-border trade and security.
Myanmar authorities said the fighting will stop if the talks among Karen group leaders produce positive results, he added.
Observers said the three Karen forces want the fighting to stop in case it affects cross-border trade which would harm their commercial interests in the area.
Rangers from the 4th Infantry Regiment Task Force have also been deployed to oversee security along the border in Tak. A plan also is in place to deal with Myanmar residents who might flee across the border, Col Sophon added.
Clashes between Myanmar authorities and the DKBA reportedly broke out 28km from the Thai-Myanmar border opposite Mae Sot district on Thursday.