MYAWADDY, Myanmar — Troops from the Military Commission’s 22nd Light Infantry Division withdrew from the Shwe Kokko district to Myawaddy on Saturday, following an ultimatum from the Karen National Army (KNA), according to local security sources.
The withdrawal comes as the Border Guard Force (BGF) officially transitioned into the independent Karen National Army (KNA) this month. Following the rebranding, KNA leadership reportedly pressured military units stationed within the Shwe Kokko economic zone to vacate the area.
In response to the troop movement, the KNA has placed its forces on high alert, urging personnel to maintain a state of combat readiness. While the 22nd Division has retreated, the Military Commission has reportedly dispatched reinforcements from the 44th Light Infantry Division in an attempt to re-establish a presence in the area.
However, KNA forces have blocked further entry into the town. Sources indicate that the 44th Division units are currently stationed at the Nadi Lin Myaing Bridge, a strategic link between Myawaddy and Shwe Kokko.
Pro-military media outlets suggested that the 44th Division is moving to secure the highway and surrounding territory. Military lobbyists have characterized the KNA’s decision to drop the BGF insignia and sever ties with the central command as a move that “invites conflict and heightened tensions.”
The fallout has extended beyond the border hub. In Hpa-an, the capital of Karen State, the Military Commission has declared an emergency security alert. Residents report a visible decrease in KNA personnel within the city limits as the group consolidates its forces in its primary strongholds.
While most BGF units have joined the transition to the KNA, some factions have reportedly declined to switch allegiances. According to KNA senior officials, the new organizational structure has expanded from the original 13 BGF battalions into a more robust force consisting of four military regions, nine tactical commands, and over 60 battalions.
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