Karen News

According to the local rescue community, at around 8:00 p.m. on May 19, the vehicle traveling from Taungoo City in Bago Region struck a booby trap near Monkone Village and subsequently came under gunfire. As a result of the attack, a young man riding in the ambulance’s rear compartment was killed at the scene, while four others—two women and two…

According to the SHRF, citing an escaped trafficked survivor, three Myanmar nationals who had worked for telecom scam operations in Tachileik Township, eastern Shan State were forcibly taken to a rare-earth mine on the Kok (Namhkoke) River, about 8 kilometers east of the Chinese border in southern Mong Hsat Township, where they were enslaved as forced laborers. The three men…

The junta-controlled state government ordered fuel stations to sell fuel only to cars and motorbikes that can provide proof of tax payment and government registration, known as wheel tax. The official price of petrol is around 5,000 MMK per liter, while on the black market it can rise as high as 15,000 MMK. As a result, vehicles operating without tax…

During the 12-month period from early March 2025 to the end of February 2026, PMCSG recorded 1,122 human rights violations in Yangon, Magway, and Sagaing regions, and the capital Naypyidaw, the group announced at a May 13 virtual press conference. PMCSG tracked and collected data on human rights violations suffered by civilians in the 3 regions and Naypyidaw, then presented…

The remarks were made during the first meeting between the DKBA commander-in-chief and local population, held on May 7 in Sonseemyaing village, Myawaddy Township, Karen State, where the DKBA headquarters is located. At the meeting, locals presented a list of about ten requests, including urging the DKBA to take action against drug and gambling problems that could negatively affect the…

Thai media reported that Somporn Pengkham, director of the CHIA Platform and lead researcher of a project on strengthening environmental health literacy through citizen science, announced the findings on May 3, 2026, with support from the Health Systems Research Institute (HSRI). Somporn said laboratory tests at Chiang Mai University’s Environmental Science Research Centre found arsenic and lead contamination above standard…

The junta has restricted independent media operations, arrested, imprisoned, and intimidated journalists in various ways, with the situation worsening each year, the IPCM reported. “The media profession is more dangerous than ever. Despite the challenges, media workers will continue to uphold the public’s right to access information and to know the truth,” said IPCM spokesperson U Toe Zaw Latt. According…

Following a meeting with several armed groups at the Infantry Battalion 275 base, the junta issued an eight-point statement aimed at tightening control over weapons and regulating armed presence in the town. The directives stated that armed members entering the town must wear the full uniform of the group they represent—without mixing uniforms, badges or insignia from multiple organizations—and must…

Around 100 troops from Light Infantry Division 22, based in Hpa-An, Karen State’s capital, have joined Light Infantry Battalions 545 and 546 in Kyondoe to man checkpoints along the route, including Nyinyartharlin, Ngartaing, Khontaing, Koetiang, and Tadakyo, according to locals. “This morning, soldiers have been coming around checking places to set up guard posts in yards along the highway. They…

Except for the jetty at Thayettaw Village near the Gyaing River Bridge, the junta and the DKBA splinter unit led by Bo Bi closed all other crossings—including Kanni, Nyaungyeikthar, and Hngetpyawtaw. A Kyondoe resident said tolls are collected from passengers using the ferry at the only remaining open jetty. “Kanni, Nyaungyeikthar, and Hngetpyawtaw jetties are all closed right now. The…