Karen News

The Kyuntaw scam compound targeted in the attack lies within territory controlled by the Democratic Karen Benevolent Army (DKBA), a Karen armed group that maintains warm ties with the junta. “Around 11:30 p.m., a kamikaze drone struck the Chinese compound. Three young Chinese people were killed, and 13 others were injured by shrapnel. They were taken to the hospital, and…

A certificate award ceremony for 44 successful students was held on March 26 at the school in Kyaukkhet Village, a DKBA-controlled area south of Myawaddy Town in Karen State. The school, established to support ethnic children with limited access to education, has produced 44 students who passed the GED and Cambridge English examinations. The school principal, Saw Soe Aung, said…

PPNM has invited the public to join the Blue Shirt Day Campaign on April 21, marking the 12th anniversary of the death of veteran journalist and former political prisoner Hanthawaddy U Win Tin, and confirmed it will also take part. PPNM steering committee member Ko Thaik Tun Oo said the group will urge public participation in the campaign to raise…

He remarked in a speech that day that the Forest Department has spearheaded initiatives for the benefit of forests and that local communities need to actively cooperate. “Conservation and nurturing efforts all require strong community participation. Our department has also developed plans to strengthen cooperation with indigenous communities. We have been working to establish forest reserves for each village, as…

On March 14, a junta kamikaze drone landed near the Palawtapo camp. Since then, artillery and drone strikes have continued in the surrounding area, leaving residents too fearful to remain in the camp. “The junta was trying to attack Kasawwahlay and was firing artillery indiscriminately, so shells were landing all around the camp. Drones were dropping bombs as well. The…

“The junta bombed the KNU headquarters, and people posing as our comrades were killed,” the well-known pro-junta Telegram channel Hmine Wai wrote on March 13, sharing a photo of KNU spokesperson Padoh Saw Taw Nee and falsely presenting the quote as his. Hmine Wai – https://archive.ph/ISe7F As of March 19, the post had garnered more than 20,000 views and over…

Throughout February and early March, the junta launched more than 60 airstrikes in KNU-controlled areas, killing over 50 civilians, the KNU repored. In particular, the junta’s airstrikes mainly targeted Myeik-Dawei District, the territory of KNU Brigade 4 in Tanintharyi Region; Mutraw District under Brigade 5 in Karen State; Kler Lwee Htu District under Brigade 3 in Bago Region; and Dooplaya…

On March 14, the International Day of Action for Rivers, Karen environmental organizations, civil society groups, youth and student organizations, and local ethnic communities staged a campaign at a designated site along the Thanlwin River in Mutraw District. The event specifically highlighted concerns over river water contamination caused by mining activities. The extraction of rare-earth minerals in northeastern Myanmar is…

The DKBA permanently expelled Major Saw Hto Lwi and Captain Saw Karen Lay of Battalion 915, based in Kyaukkhet Village, Myawaddy Township, Karen State, for engaging with unauthorized groups, the group’s spokesperson, Colonel Saw Pha Blae, said. “Our troops need to follow the rules set by our organization. The DKBA stays non-partisan, so their actions cast doubt on the decisions…

Fighting was raging in the area, and as its troops struggled to advance on the ground, the junta deployed fighter jets and Y12 and Y8 aircraft to carry out bombing raids. As a result, homes in Hpalu and Minletpan, as well as monasteries, pagodas, schools, and clinics were damaged. “The junta has been carrying out airstrikes for five days now.…