A junta aligned Karen militia under Bo Bi is helping to man checkpoints and carrying out inspections on the Asia Highway between the towns of Hpa-An and Kawkareik.

Bo Bi’s militia was previously under the military-aligned Democratic Karen Buddhist Army - Brigade 5 but it split away from them in 2016. Initially they sought refuge in the Khyin Phawdawmu Monastery and as a result also became known as the Phawdawmu Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (Phawdawmu DKBA).

A local said to the Karen Information Center (KIC): “There are many junta checkpoints along this road. Among them, the DKBA faction led by Bo Bi is also cooperating with the junta to conduct inspections of travellers.”

Another resident said: “The DKBA [faction led by Bo Bi] primarily checks travellers. The junta troops remain in the background and only come to the front of the checkpoint if they need to make a show. I'm scared because they're stationed together with the junta. Sometimes I'm afraid to travel on that road. Because they sometimes confiscate goods from local people, I have to avoid that road. I have to be careful.”

Bo Bi’s militia has also been helping to transport junta troops and weapons along the Kawkareik to Myawaddy section of the Asia Highway as the junta tries to retake that section of the highway.

Bo Bi’s militia has also established a base in Windayei Village in Hpa-An Township. As a result, locals are afraid and anxious.