Sanctioned DKBA leader promoted amid leadership shuffle and scam allegations

Mizzima

The Democratic Karen Benevolent Army (DKBA) has promoted Brigadier General Sai Kyaw Hla to the rank of Major General and appointed him chairman of its Central Economic Committee, despite recent international sanctions and allegations of involvement in online money laundering.

The decision was finalized during the group’s 19th Year-End Commanders’ Meeting, held from 21 to 24 December at its headquarters.

Sai Kyaw Hla was recently sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) for his alleged role in supporting transnational cyber-scam operations targeting international victims.

These activities are reportedly centred in DKBA-protected areas along the Thai-Myanmar border, including the Shunda Park compound in Minletpan, which was recently raided by the Karen National Union (KNU). Despite these allegations, the DKBA leadership has moved to place him in charge of the organization’s central financial and economic affairs.

The meeting also saw a significant shift in the group’s top military hierarchy. General Saw Steel, the outgoing Commander-in-Chief who is also under U.S. sanctions, has been reassigned as a patron of the DKBA Central Advisory Council.

He is succeeded by former Deputy Commander-in-Chief Saw Shwe Wa, who was elevated to the rank of General and appointed the new Commander-in-Chief. Brigadier General Saw Ba Nyein Aung has been moved from his role as chief of staff of the 2nd Military Division to fill the vacant post of Deputy Commander-in-Chief.