DKBA Reaccepts About 350 Members Including Colonel Saw Kyaw Thet Who Stood Independently as Separatist DKBA

The Democratic Kayin Benevolent Army (DKBA) Central Executive Committee (CEC) announced today (July 31) that it would reaccept about 350 members, including Colonel Saw Kyaw Thet, who had stood independently as a separatist DKBA. The announcement stated that the reintegration of approximately 350 members, including Colonel Saw Kyaw Thet, who previously served as commander of the Kalotuhwa Military Command of the DKBA, into the DKBA organization is recognized. Furthermore, the announcement said that Colonel Saw Kyaw Thet has been reinstated as the commander of the 3rd Military Command. Regional media outlets have reported that Colonel Saw Kyaw Thet was once the commander of the "Jahphoo" column, which engaged in close combat with the Tatmadaw in the battle of Asia Highway. According to regional news, Colonel Saw Kyaw Thet previously served as the commander of the DKBA's Kalotuhwa Military Command, and due to continuous battles with the Tatmadaw near the Asia Highway at that time, he was permanently expelled from the DKBA in 2015 by former Chief of Staff General Saw Lah Pwe. Subsequently, their members stood independently as separatist DKBA, and after the political changes in 2021, they have been engaging in battles with the Tatmadaw in conjunction with the joint forces of Brigade (6) of the Kayin National Liberation Army (KNLA), it is known.