Border Guard Forces (; abbreviated BGF) are subdivisions of the Tatmadaw (Myanmar Armed Forces) consisting of former insurgent groups in Myanmar under the instruction of Regional Military Commands. The government announced its plan to create Border Guard Forces in April 2009, in the hopes of ending hostilities between the government and insurgent groups leading up to the 2010 general election.

History In 2008 the new constitution made it mandatory for insurgent groups to transition into a BGF before the government would agree to engage in peace talks. Following the government announcement on BGFs, the government set a deadline for all insurgent groups to transition into BGFs, and that all ceasefire agreements prior to the deadline would become "null and void". The deadline was originally set to be June 2009, but was delayed five times until September 2010.

In April 2009, Lieutenant General Ye Myint led a government entourage to meet with Kokang, Shan and Wa insurgent groups, to discuss plans to create "collective security" formed by insurgent groups and under the command of the Tatmadaw, which would eventually lead to the creation of the Border Guard Forces. In 2009, four of the insurgent groups, the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army, the Kachin Defence Army (4th Brigade of the KIA), the New Democratic Army – Kachin (NDA-K) and the Pa-O National Organisation/Army (PNO/A), accepted the transition plan's terms and transformed into BGF groups.

On 20 August 2009, Tatmadaw soldiers and recently transitioned BGF groups gathered outside the town of Laukkai, Kokang, in preparation for an attempt to recapture the town from the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA), after they refused to transform into a BGF.

The government changed its aggressive stance towards BGFs and ceasefires on 18 August 2011, when then President of Myanmar Thein Sein pledged to "make the ethnic issue a national priority" by offering open dialogue between the government and all insurgent groups, without the BGF requirement.

Karen Border Guard Forces

In 2010, a powerful commander of DKBA Saw Chit Thu accepted the Burma government's demands to transform itself into the Border Guard Force, under the command of the Tatmadaw and serving as the leader.

Karen BGF Split

In January 2021, the Tatmadaw pressured Saw Chit Thu and other high-ranking officers, including Major Saw Mout Thon and Major Saw Tin Win, to resign from the BGF. Major Saw Mout Thon of BGF Battalion 1022 resigned on January 8, along with 13 commanders, 77 officers, and 13 battalions from 4 regiments who collectively signed and submitted their resignations. Amid controversy and under pressure, at least 7,000 BGF members resigned to protest the ouster of their top leaders. However, Saw refused to retire.

On 23 January 2024, Saw Chit Thu told the media that he discussed with Vice-Senior General Soe Win, the Deputy Commander-in-Chief, that the Border Guard Force (BGF), would no longer wish to accept money and supplies from the military. They aim to stand independently, and he also claimed that they don't want to fight against their fellow Karen people. On 6 March, the Karen BGF announced it would rename itself to the "Karen National Army" later in the month.

Structure There are no official government guidelines regarding BGFs, but there are lines in the Burmese constitution that reference them.2008 Constitution of Myanmar p. 5, 79, and 155 The following are de facto rules set by the Tatmadaw upon creation of the Border Guard Forces: BGFs may only operate in the area they are assigned by the government All members of a BGF are to be paid the same salary as a regular soldier in the Tatmadaw Each battalion is to have exactly 326 personnel, 30 of whom are to be regular Tatmadaw soldiers Important administrative positions are to be held only by Tatmadaw soldiers

List of Border Guard Forces Current Border Guard Forces All according to Asia Foundation BGF # Transformation Date Township(s) Previous Status Notes 1007 30 March 2010 Mong Ton Lahu Democratic Front 1008 30 March 2010 Mong Yawng Lahu Militia; Jakuni Militia Combination of both Lahu and Jakuni militias 1009 18 May 2010 Tachileik Lahu Militia 1010 20 May 2010 Metman Metman Militia 1011–1023 18–21 August 2009 Kayin State Democratic Karen Buddhist Army Several elements of the Karen BGF have remained loyal to the Tatmadaw and continue to be active throughout Karen State

Former Border Guard Forces BGF # New Status Transformation Date Date of Change Township(s) Previous Status Notes 1001 Captured and disarmed 8 November 2009 31 October 2024KIA Seizes Final Border Force HQ Despite Chinese Pressure New Democratic Army – Kachin 1002 Captured and disarmed 8 November 2009 15 October 2024Myanmar Junta-Allied Border Battalion Falls in Kachin Rare Earth Hub New Democratic Army – Kachin 1003 Captured and disarmed 8 November 2009 20 November 2024 Waingmaw New Democratic Army – Kachin 1004 Karenni National People's Liberation Front 8 November 2009 13 June 2023 Karenni National People's Liberation Front Defected to anti-junta resistance in June 2023 1005 Karenni National People's Liberation Front 8 November 2009 13 June 2023 Karenni National People's Liberation Front Defected to anti-junta resistance in June 2023 1006 Disarmed 9 December 2009 5 January 2024 Laukkai Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (BGF-faction) 1011 Karen National Army 18 August 2009 January 2024 Hlaingbwe Democratic Karen Buddhist ArmyKaren BGF No. 1011–1023 began distancing themselves from the junta in January 2024, eventually defecting to form the Karen National Army 1012 Karen National Army 18 August 2009 January 2024 Hlaingbwe Democratic Karen Buddhist Army 1013 Karen National Army 18 August 2009 January 2024 Hpapun Democratic Karen Buddhist Army 1014 Karen National Army 18 August 2009 January 2024 Hpapun Democratic Karen Buddhist Army 1015 Karen National Army 20 August 2009 January 2024 Hlaingbwe Democratic Karen Buddhist Army 1016 Karen National Army 20 August 2009 January 2024 Hlaingbwe Democratic Karen Buddhist Army 1017 Karen National Army 20 August 2009 January 2024 Myawaddy Democratic Karen Buddhist Army 1018 Karen National Army 20 August 2009 January 2024 Myawaddy Democratic Karen Buddhist Army 1019 Karen National Army 20 August 2009 January 2024 Myawaddy Democratic Karen Buddhist Army 1020 Karen National Army 21 August 2009 January 2024 Myawaddy Democratic Karen Buddhist Army 1021 Karen National Army 21 August 2009 January 2024 Kawkareik Democratic Karen Buddhist Army 1022 Karen National Army 21 August 2009 January 2024 Kawkareik Democratic Karen Buddhist Army 1023 Karen National Army 21 August 2009 January 2024 Kyain Seikgyi Karen Peace Force

Ranks Border Guard Forces

Border Guard Forces No insignia

References