General information
First Active Year: 2010
Current Name: DKBA 5
Current Name full English: Democratic Karen Buddhist Army Brigade 5
Current Name full native language: n/a
Original Name: DKBA 5
Original Name full English: Democratic Karen Buddhist Army Brigade 5
Original Name full native language: n/a
Actor Chronology
This section contains information about (if applicable) group splinters, name changes, and alliances according to the UCDP definitions of these concepts.
Broke Away from Actor: DKBA (Democratic Karen Buddhist Army)
On: 2010-04-27
Conflict issues
Government of Myanmar (Burma) - DKBA 5
Conflict Goal Issues: DKBA 5 was the 5th Brigade of the Democratic Kayin Buddhist Army DKBA that counter to its main organization resisted the Government of Myanmar’s (Burma) efforts to transform it into a Border Guard Force. Instead, DKBA 5 sized government buildings in Myawaddy the day after the 2010 Myanmar general elections. The group’s leader Saw Lah Pwe explained that their actions were in protest of the “sham” elections and in support of democracy. In addition, the group sought rights for ethnic minorities and autonomy for Kayin/Karen State. Over time the group also came to seek recognition as a political party and together with KNU](/#/actor/180) call for a federal state. The issues that persisted throughout the entire conflict were democracy and self-determination.
Conflict Dynamics Issues: In connection to 2010 general elections, the group asked for international monitoring and support. This project has been unable to find any addition conflict dynamics issues.
Conflict Resolution Issues: The first conflict resolution issue of DDR was pronounced in 2010 as the main group DKBA, with whom the Government of Myanmar (Burma)](/#/actor/144) had a ceasefire agreement, was pressured to join the Border Guard Force under the Government of Myanmar’s (Burma)](/#/actor/144) control.
The year after DKBA 5 released a statement that called for a nationwide ceasefire and joint negotiations with Government of Myanmar (Burma)](/#/actor/144) and other rebel organizations. In 2013, the group condemned the Government for a breach of the ceasefire.
As no issue was coded more than once for the group, the issue of DDR could be considered the main issue. Given that it in this case pressure to demobilize and integrate seems to have led the group to split from its parent organization and switch sides in the Karen conflict.
Type of conflict issues: *Conflict Goal Issues: * Autonomy, CPS: Democracy, Cultural rights, Electoral fraud, Federalism, Opposition to elections, Recognition as a political party
*Conflict Dynamics Issues: * IFI: International monitoring
*Conflict Resolution Issues: * Call for ceasefire, Call for implementation/abiding to ceasefire, Call for negotiations, DDR issues, Structure of negotiations
Annual information
This section contains annual information systematically collected by the UCDP.
2010
Actor Active in Dyad(s):
Government of Myanmar (Burma) - DKBA 5
2011
Actor Active in Dyad(s):
Government of Myanmar (Burma) - DKBA 5
2013
Actor Active in Dyad(s):
Government of Myanmar (Burma) - DKBA 5
Group Archive
This section contains annual information no longer systematically collected by the UCDP.
2010 Group Archive
Government of Myanmar (Burma) - DKBA 5
Comment on Name: Democratic Karen Buddhist Army Brigade 5 (DKBA 5), led by Saw Hla Bwe (sometimes spelled Hna Kham Hmwe), or known as Na Kam Mul, is also nicknamed “Mr Beard” or “Colonel Moustache” as the name literally means moustache.
On 30 October 2010, DKBA 5 joined an alliance with the Karen National Union (KNU), Karenni National Progressive Party (KNPP), Kachin Independence Organization (KIO), Shan State Army North (SSA-N), Democratic Karen Buddhist Army Brigade 5 (DKBA 5), and Karen National Union Peace Council (KNU-PC).The members of the alliance agreed to launch attacks on government forces in their area if any other of the groups was attacked.
Troop Size: 1400
Comment on Troop Size: At the onset of fighting, DKBA 5 consisted of about 1000 troops which controlled the territory between Myawaddy and Payathonzu townships near the Thai border. There were, however, reports that defectors from other parts of DKBA joined DKBA 5 and thereby increasing the size of the organization to some 1400 troops.
2011 Group Archive
Government of Myanmar (Burma) - DKBA 5
Comment on Name: Democratic Karen Buddhist Army Brigade 5 (DKBA 5), led by Saw Hla Bwe (sometimes spelled Hna Kham Hmwe), or known as Na Kam Mul, is also nicknamed “Mr Beard” or “Colonel Moustache” as the name literally means moustache.
Troop Size: missing
Comment on Troop Size: No reliable estimates of DKBA 5 was available. In addition, the group shifted in size as it conducted joined operations with KNU, while its ranks were bolstered by soldiers from other former DKBA units who deserted from the Border Guard Program.
