17 BGF Troops Defect to KNU
MAE SOT—A company commander and 16 soldiers from No.1019 Border Guard Force (BGF) based in Taung Oak village, Myawaddy District, deserted on Thursday to join the ranks of Brigade 7 of the Karen National Union (KNU). Speaking to The Irrawaddy on Tuesday, company commander Saw Nay Balu Htoo said, “We are not pleased to be slaves of the military regime, since we were sold as BGF troops by the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA) leaders. “DKBA leaders sold us out to the regime and forced us to become a BGF for their own benefit. We couldn’t do anything for our Karen people. We just have to keep fighting. That is why we fled to the KNU,” he said. According to Capt. Myo Min Thu from KNU Brigade 7: “We will let the soldiers choose whether they want to become KNU soldiers or civilians.” This brings to 26 the total number of BGF troops defecting to KNU Brigade 7 this year. KNU Brigade 7 also helped the other BGF troops who deserted in early January, as well as porters who had been used in border clashes between the DKBA Brigade 5 and the regime’s troops.
Saw Nay Balu Htoo (No. 14) and some of his troops, pictured on Jan. 24 at the camp of KNU Brigade 7. (PHOTO: IRRAWADDY)
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