DKBA UNITS WITHDRAW FROM WESTERN KAREN STATE Subject: FBR: DKBA UNITS WITHDRAW FROM WESTERN KAREN STATE. 22 MAY 2005. Report Date 25 May 2005 DKBA UNITS WITHDRAW FROM WESTERN KAREN STATE. 22 MAY 2005. Report Date 25 May 2005. 1) On 22 May, two Battalions of the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA) were withdrawn from Ler Doh (Kyaukkyi) Township, Nyaunglebin District, Western Karen State. Twenty vehicles were sent to pick up the DKBA Battalions and their families at Maw Lay in Ler Doh Township. Earlier, on 21 May, the DKBA Battalion at Klaw Maw (Ler Doh) Township were withdrawn. By 22 May both Battalions of DKBA were withdrawn to Mahn Gyi Ngu, the headquarters of the DKBA. 2) Burma Army (BA) Battalion LIB 264 has taken the DKBA positions at Maw Lay and has established a new position at Kyauk Pya. 3) There are no longer any DKBA forces in Mone Township and Ler Doh Township, Nyaunglebin District, Western Karen State. There is still one Battalion of DKBA at Shweygyn Township, Southern Nyaunglebin District. 4) BA Battalions LIB 351 and IB 33 are now patrolling in Mone Township along with one column of BA LIB 264. 5) EARLIER DKBA REPORT: Subject: DKBA unit loses authority in Nyaunglebin District, Karen State. 12 May 2005 Report from a team in the field: 12 May 2005 Update on Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA) in Ler Doh (Kyaukkyi) Township, Nyaunglebin District, Karen State, Burma. On 9 May 2005 a six -vehicle DKBA delegation from Mying Gyi Ngu led by the leader of the DKBA, monk U Thu Zana, arrived at Kla Maw, Ler Doh (Kyaukkyi) Township, Nyaunglebin District, Karen State. U Thu Zana held a meeting with the local DKBA leaders at Kla Maw, Ler Doh (Kyaukkyi) Township. U Thu Zana, said that he will no longer be the leader of the DKBA in this area and that the DKBA soldiers no longer have the authority to ask for anything from civilians. If they want to remain DKBA soldiers, it is their choice. U Thu Zana told the DKBA special battalion stationed here that they are now completely on their own. If the DKBA can survive from donations freely given from the local populous that is up to them. Commander Po Maw is currently the leader of the Special DKBA Battalion in this area. It is not clear at this time if this signals a complete resignation of U Thu Zana or if he is only giving up control of the DKBA in this part of Nyaunglebin District. The villagers in this township report that they are very happy to hear that the DKBA in this area have lost power. ~