YANGON, Myanmar - One of two young twin brothers who led a small band of ethnic rebels calling themselves "God's Army" has surrendered to Myanmar's military government, state radio and television reported Tuesday night. | Not to be confused with the "Lord's Army" |
Johnny Htoo and eight fellow members of the group left a refugee camp in Thailand earlier this month and surrendered with weapons in two separate groups on July 17 and 19 at the coastal region military command in southeastern Myanmar, according to the reports.
Johnny Htoo was the rebel
He roamed through the west
This Johnny Htoo the rebel
He wandered alone.
He got fightin' mad
This rebel lad
He packed no star
As he wandered far.
Where the only law
Was a hook and a draw
The rebel Johnny Htoo. |
Johnny and his brother Luther in the late 1990s were charismatic leaders of a small band of ethnic Karen Christian rebels in eastern Myanmar fighting the country's military regime. Devout Christians, they were reputed by followers to be invulnerable to bullets and land mines. A photo of the twins, then about 12 years old, showing a soulful looking Johnny with long hair, and Luther puffing on a cigarette, became an iconic image of child soldiers. The two are now about 18.
He searched the land this restless lad
He was panther quick and leather tough
With the figure that he's been pushed enough
The rebel Johnny Htoo. |
They surrendered to Thai authorities in January 2001, and had been living in a refugee camp in Thailand. This month, the surrendering guerrillas were welcomed by local and regional authorities and provided necessary assistance, said the news report, which made no mention of Luther. Television showed what it said was a photo of the group's surrender.
He got fightin' mad this rebel lad
With the dreams he's hold till his dyin' breath
He searched his soul and gambled with death
The rebel Johnny Htoo.....gave up. |
Karen and other ethnic minority rebel groups have been fighting for more autonomy in Myanmar, also known as Burma, for five decades. |