Karen News

“Since day one…I was always unhappy. I was unhappy because there was no individual liberty. We got no leave and could not withdraw our money from the bank…. If they did not like my manner, they would slap me in my face, just to relieve [their] boredom. I was slapped at least two or three times a day.” “I was…

The EKN wants the EU to impose sanctions on arms and the military’s sources of revenue. “We demand that the European Union urgently enact new sanctions targeting arms brokers and sources of funding for Myanmar’s military. The European Union must identify and sanction the mechanism that generates and supports income for Myanmar’s military, including fuel and state-owned enterprises,” said Nan…

It was the second meetings the Karen National Union/Karen National Liberation Army – Peace Council (KNU/KNLA-PC) and the Democratic Karen Benevolent Army (DKBA) had with the junta on September 16, 2022. Members of the Karen community are dismayed that the Karen factions would give the coup leaders the opportunity to publicize its universally denounced ‘peace deal’ being offered to ethnic…

Journalists Phyo and her husband Ko Soe Ya are determined to keep publishing, despite Myanmar’s military forcing the closure of their office, revoking their licence, issuing warrants for their arrest and an underground trek to what they thought was to be a safe border location. Monsoon rains ease as Phyo takes time to reflect on the life-changing events, she and…

By Saw Greh Moo* Gen. Ner Dah Mya was sacked last year by the Karen National Union over the alleged killing of 25 suspected Burmese military spies in one of his KNDO-controlled areas in southern Karen state. Gen. Ner Dah Mya has vowed to fight the military regime independent of the Karen National Union. The announcement brought a swift response…

The IKO said recent Burma Army attacks were responsible for the deaths of Karen civilians. “At least thirteen people, including two children, have been killed in increased attacks by the Burmese military, which are taking place in several different parts of Karen State, worsening the human rights and humanitarian crisis in the country.” The military-appointed State Administration Council ordered its…

Thai villagers said the SAC fighter jets flew 5kms into Thailand territory three times. A local driver told Karen News “it was scary, they made three big circles before crossing back into Burma to fire rockets.” The SAC fighter jets entered Thailand’s air space over Phop Phra district around 11;30am on Thursday morning. Thai villagers said the sight of foreign…

In Hpa-an Prison, Karen state, many people have been injured as the prison staff closed the doors and tortured political prisoners. Karen News investigated that during those days, the conjugal visits were closed, and prisoners were not allowed to get medical treatment. A source at the jail told Karen News, “I know, all prisoners were locked in and shot by…

The UN agency responsible for refugees, UNHCR reported “as of 4 April 2022, there were an estimated 907,500 Internally Displaced persons (IDPs) across Myanmar including 560,900 newly displaced since 1 February 2021. These include 234,600 internally displaced persons (IDPs) in South-East Myanmar and 227,300 IDPs in the North-West.” The Karen Women’s Organisation (KWO), estimates at least 46 civilians have been…

The meeting held in the Palu Gyi village temple was attended by Burma Army, Border Guard Force (BGF), Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA) troops, and villagers on the morning of June 5th. Displaced people from Lay Kay Kaw village, who had been forced from their homes by Burma Army and its sponsored BGF militia, said it was only possible to…