Ethnic Karen ceasefire groups backed by the Burmese Army are gearing up to launch a fresh offensive on their rival, the Karen National Union’s outposts, according to sources in KNU.

The outposts under battalions 201 and 103 of Brigade 6 of the Karen National Liberation Army, the armed wing of KNU is based 30 kilometres from Myawaddy, the eastern border town close to Thailand are the targets of the allies – the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army, former commander of KNLA Brigade 7, Gen. Htay Maung led group and the government troops.

“They are marching to this (targeted area) with about 20 trucks since April 9. They will combine forces and will clear the area but the action is yet to start. Everything seems to be ready,” said a KNU official on condition of anonymity.

However, he told Mizzima that KNU will resist the attack.

KNU has been waging the longest war against successive governments for self-determination since 1949. However, it has been facing pressure from former colleagues and now ceasefire groups for territorial control.

In April 9, two outposts of the KNLA’s Brigade 7 were seized by the joint forces of government troops and Karen factions in a day’s fighting.

After fresh fighting broke out, 800 Karen villagers fled to refugee camps in neighbouring Thailand.

Meanwhile, Thailand has tightened security on the border apprehensive of fresh clashes on the Burma side.