Karen News

The forum, the first of its kind and lasting three days, was attended by 177 participants, including members of the Karen National Union (KNU) central executive committee, regional and department heads, ethnic leaders from the Kawthoolei Consultative Council (KCC), representatives of the Kawthoolei Administration Council, officers of the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA), personnel of …

An airstrike and gunfire hit a monastery in Yaetwinkone Village on March 5, killing 28 civilians, including a pregnant woman and children. According to Fortify Rights, the findings are based on field interviews with survivors and corroborated evidence, which the organization says has been verified. Fortify Rights is now calling for the international community to …

According to locals, the junta has closed the Asian Highway 1 (AH1) Road linking the two townships, as well as several connecting village roads, severely disrupting transportation and the movement of goods. Since April last year, amid fierce clashes and heightened military tensions in the area, the junta has shut down the AH1 section connecting …

On June 24, more than 300 junta troops arrived in Kyainseikgyi Township from Chaunghnitkhwa Village. Around 30 of them reportedly changed into DKBA uniforms and badges before continuing their journey to Payathonzu in a convoy of about 10 vehicles. “Around 30 junta soldiers changed into DKBA uniforms and badges before heading to Payathonzu. Because they …

The two resistance bodies announced the breakthrough during a joint press conference held on July 5 at an undisclosed location along the Thailand–Myanmar border. A “zero draft” represents the first comprehensive working blueprint of a legislative document. Comprising 13 chapters, the text is built on a bottom-up federalism model, which aims to forge a resilient …

The military junta launched continuous attacks between July 25 and July 31 along the road connecting Hpalu and Thonhtatkway villages, south of Myawaddy Township. Artillery shells and aerial bombs landed near the Palaw Tapoe camp, forcing residents to abandon the site. However, camp administrators warn that their current shelter along the riverbank poses serious risks …

The missing individuals—residents of Wah Mee Hta village in the Thaybawboe village tract—left on July 10 in a tractor to retrieve a vehicle that was stuck on the Mekanei–Hpalu road. They have not been heard from since. Local sources indicate the men inadvertently encountered advancing Myanmar military troops along a road section affected by active …

Despite announcements by Thai authorities that border telecommunications lines had been severed to suppress illicit operations—locally known as Zhapian businesses—the criminal rings continue to maintain high-speed internet access along the Thai-Myanmar border. When scam compounds initially relocated into remote, mountainous DKBA territory south of Myawaddy, they lacked basic phone or internet infrastructure. Operators relied heavily …

On August 15, the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA)—the armed wing of the Karen National Union (KNU)—and allied groups overran junta positions in Kwimaungtaing Village, forcing regime troops to retreat and abandon weapons and ammunition. Within 24 hours of the defeat, the junta launched air and ground strikes to regain the position. Heavy fighting has …

The 33 ‘Kaw’ territories are areas governed under the traditional systems of Indigenous communities. ‘Kaw’ refers to a traditional territorial governance system that has existed among Indigenous Karen communities since before modern administrative systems emerged. Under the system, local communities protect, conserve and manage land, forests, mountains and natural resources in accordance with their traditional …