Karen border force tilts away from Myanmar military regime

YANGON/BANGKOK -- The Border Guard Force (BGF), an armed group active in Kayin state, eastern Myanmar, has broken with the country's military in a move that may further diminish the military regime's influence along the border as Thailand begins delivery of humanitarian aid across it.

The BGF, which has a sphere of influence along the border with Thailand, has rebranded itself the Karen National Army (KNA), claiming that it is no longer under the military's control and that it will remain neutral for the time being.