DKBA-5

Content sourced from Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.

Democratic Karen Benevolent Army – Brigade 5 (DKBA-5) is a Karen Buddhist insurgent group in Myanmar. It split from the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army in 2010 and operates mainly in Kayin State. The group is led by Bo Nat Khann Mway (Saw Lah Pwe) until his death in 2016. A faction led by Bo Bi broke away in 2016 and aligned with the Myanmar military (Tatmadaw) as the pro-Tatmadaw “Phawdawmu DKBA.” The remaining DKBA-5 has kept loose ties with the Karen National Union (KNU) and has cooperated with the Arakan Army at times.

Key points:
- 2010: DKBA-5 attacked government troops in Myawaddy during the general election period.
- 2011: Signed a ceasefire with the government on November 3, but did not disarm like the original DKBA.
- 2020: Signed the first Myanmar Joint Action Plan with the United Nations to end child soldier recruitment.
- 2022: About 300 DKBA-5 soldiers defected to the Karen National Defense Organisation (KNDO) and formed Commando Battalion 1 within KNDO.
- 2024–2025: The pro-Tatmadaw faction aided junta operations (Operation Aung Zeya), helped man checkpoints along Asian Highway 1, and attacked KNLA forces north of Kawkareik.
- 2025: DKBA-5 handed over hundreds of foreigners forced to work in online scams to Thai authorities. The United States sanctioned the DKBA and several leaders for involvement in scam activities. KNLA forces later raided a scam compound, causing a brief shootout.

Organizational details:
- Location and headquarters: Kayin State, based in Sonesee Myaing, Myawaddy Township.
- Size and ideology: About 3,000 fighters; Karen nationalism and Theravada Buddhism.
- Alliances and opponents: Allied with Arakan Army, KNU, and KNLA (until 2025, with some factions in alignment with the Tatmadaw). Opponents include the Myanmar government and, at times, other Myanmar armed groups.

Other notes:
- The DKBA-5 is also known by the Burmese government name Klo Hto Baw Battalion.