Karen News

This followed protests by Myanmar workers and negotiations to re-open the crossing between relevant parties, according to sources on the border. The border gate was closed on 17 June 2024 by the authorities on both sides of the border. Due to the disruptions to travel and the flow of goods caused by the closure, workers in Myanmar staged protests on…

The 15 August 2024 meeting was held to discuss the ongoing Myanmar crisis according to a 17 August statement by the KNU Central Executive Committee (KNU Central). It focused on key topics such as strengthening unity in the pursuit of a federal democratic system, enhancing civil service operations, and coordinating humanitarian initiatives. During the talks, Mr. Sullivan reiterated the United…

From 5 to 9 August, fierce fighting between the junta and resistance forces along with heavy artillery fire in the Zayatgyi area of Tantabin Township, where Kinmunchon Village is located, caused over 2,000 residents to flee to safer areas. The villages they fled from included: Kinmunchon, Doetan, PuKanKwe, NatYwar, HnitTantKu, and ThuHtayKone. During the fighting in the Zayatgyi area the…

According to camp officials new arrivals to the camps have been questioned by the Thai authorities since the February 2021 coup. New arrivals fear being questioned by the authorities, so many of them choose to avoid the questioning by leaving the camps and either returning to Myanmar or relocating to other areas of Thailand, according to an official from Mae…

Junta soldiers have a list of the people who have been conscripted and since 7 August soldiers and police officers have stepped up their efforts to track down the people on the list in all of the six downtown wards of Kyaikto Town A Kyaikto resident said to KIC: “Soldiers and police are moving through each ward, searching for people…

There are high levels of crime in the border town, which is home to a diverse population from various ethnic groups. For instance, a married couple who sold cars went missing and in recent days at least two delivery drivers have gone missing and not been heard from, according to locals. A resident of Myawaddy said: “People frequently go missing,…

Following the headquarter’s capture the Karen National Union (KNU), the Karenni National Progressive Party (KNPP), and the Chin National Front (CNF) issued a joint statement, on 4 August, that congratulated the MNDAA and TNLA on their success and emphasised how important the capture of the headquarters was in the struggle against the junta. CNF spokesperson, Salai Htet Ni, described the…

There has been severe flooding in Hlaingbwe Township. On 30 July 2024 the Karen State Chief Minister, Saw Myint Oo, accompanied by officials, visited shelter centers at Aung San Hall and Kamawtkachu Village in Hlaingbwe Township. During the visit, he pledged 1.3 million MMK in aid and provided essential items such as rice, oil, noodles, and eggs for more than…

KHRG said the junta practice of firing artillery and launching airstrikes against areas where there is no fighting often results in unexploded ordnance being left behind, which poses a significant risk to civilians who may come into contact with these dangerous remnants. Naw Phaw Lar, Advocacy Officer at KHRG, highlighted recent incidents involving unexploded ordnance. She said: “In our statement…

Major Saw Tin Win, the tactical operation commander of the BGF’s Military Region No. 2, stated that following the junta’s announcement to implement the conscription law, many youths from Karen State, Ayeyarwady Region, and other parts of Myanmar contacted the BGF and enlisted as new members. “A lot of youths joined the BGF voluntarily to avoid forced recruitment by Bamar…