CNI news

25 April 2024

There has been a preliminary agreement between the Myanmar Tatmadaw and revolutionary elements to keep Myawaddy, Karen State as a non-combat economic zone where goods can be delivered for life reportedly.

Col. Saw Chit Thu from the Karen National Army (KNA) that was transformed from the Border Guard Force of Karen State mediated and negotiated to do so after meeting with Vice Sr-Gen Soe Win.

An agreement was reached on four points between the Myanmar Tatmadaw and the revolutionary forces, said in a letter sent by the Thai Border Guard Force to the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration.

While seeing Col. Saw Chit Thu

The four points are - No.1 to abstain from waging battles within the Myawaddy District, to designate the city as a safe zone for everyone and to keep it as an economic zone to deliver goods for life, No.2 to redeploy the No.275 Infantry at the original place from the No-2 Thai-Myanmar Friendship Bridge area on the morning of 23rd April and the KNA has already been in charge of security for the administration of Myawaddy at 7:00 a.m. on 23rd April, 2024.

In the 3rd point, Customs and immigration officials will be reinstated at the No.2 Thai-Myanmar Friendship Bridge area and in the fourth point, these processes will be completed within 2 to 3 days from April 23rd and could reach a normal situation, said in the report by the Thai BGF.

The Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA)/ the People's Defense Force (PDF) joint forces launched offensives to seize control of Myawaddy in April. Because of the offensives, the Tatmadaw's No.275 Infantry, the Myawaddy City Guard, had to retreat from Thin Gan Nyi Naung military camp and the camps within the city to the No.2 Thai-Myanmar Friendship Bridge and waited for reinforcements.

While the national flag is being raised at the No.275 Infantry by the Tatmadaw

The Myanmar Tatmadaw re-launched offensives to regain control of Myawaddy and the battles broke out severely after which on 21st April, both sides ceased fire.

The Myanmar Tatmadaw stated that it raised the national flag again after regaining the No.275 Infantry on 23rd April. Currently, the KNA is handling the security procedures in Myawaddy and the border trade activities could not be started reportedly.

The trade value of the Myawaddy(Myanmar)-Mae Sot (Thailand) border trade is about several million dollars.