shelling Karen positions in Burma and treatment for their wounded. Thai security forces stormed the hospital, killing all 10 of the gunmen. A photograph taken by Associated Press photographer Apichart Weerawong of a long-haired Johnny posing next to his tougher-looking, cigar-puffing brother was circulated around the world after the hospital raid. After the raid, God's Army were strenuously pursued by the Tatmadaw (Burmese armed forces) and shunned by other Karen rebels. Luther claimed at the time he had 250,000 invisible soldiers in his command while Johnny had 150,000 of his own. Their flesh-and-blood followers were estimated to be around 500 in 1998, but gradually declined to between 100 and 200 men by early 2000 after many left to find work to support their refugee families. Meanwhile, the Burmese army had 21,000 troops in the area. Surrender and life after God's Army (2001– ) The twins surrendered to Thai soldiers in January 2001 and requested sanctuary. By that time, the number of their followers had dwindled to less than 20. They repudiated the stories about being invulnerable but insisted that God had helped them to survive over the years. They were reunited with their family. In July 2006, Johnny Htoo surrendered to Burma's military government with eight other members of God's Army in two groups. In 2009, Luther Htoo sought status as a refugee in Sweden and settled in Götene while Johnny Htoo moved to a Thai refugee camp while attempting to go to New Zealand to join his mother and sister. Luther married another Karen refugee in Sweden and fathered a child with her before divorcing. In 2018, Luther Htoo returned to Myanmar after meeting a woman online; as of 2020 both are reportedly unemployed and drink alcohol frequently. References External links Profile: God's Army at BBC.co.uk 1987 births Living people Burmese twins Child soldiers Burmese rebels Burmese people of Karen descent Burmese Christians