Fighting between New Mon State Party (NMSP) troops and a breakaway group from the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA) occurred twice in the last few days. It has been reported the DKBA troops entered the NMSP’s controlled area.

Clashes took place at the Thai-Myanmar border, near the Three Pagoda Pass (TPP) on September 17th and 18th. No injuries or deaths have been reported.

Although NMSP has engaged with the Karen armed groups over territorial disputes in the past, this is the first time the NMSP has clashed with the DKBA breakaway group.

The NMSP refused to confirm any details with the Mon News Agency about the incident.

According to some border conflict observers analysts, the breakaway group may have separated from the DBKA in order to assert more authority against the Border Guard Force and the Tamattaw based in Hpa-An and Hlaing Bwe. There have been reports of the groups presence in the area over the last six months.