Articles

Myanmar’s military leaders used its armed forces to launch its coup and take control of the country from its elected government on February 1, 2021. In protest, millions of people took to the streets. The military responded to these protests by sending armed soldiers and police into residential areas to arrest defiant civilians, workers, students, doctors and nurses. In March,…

By Phil Thornton* If the violence unleashed by the military on unarmed civilians shocked the world, it wouldn’t have shocked those who were familiar with the Tatmadaw. Operating for decades from the shadows of various state apparatuses, the Tatmadaw has spent decades establishing a climate of fear, using a vast network of security agencies, militia, informers and neighborhood spies to…

Reports circulated the Burma Army were putting in place plans to use counter-insurgency strategies against opposition against the military coup – the National Unity Government (NUG) and the People’s Defense Forces (PDF) – taking refuge in KNU controlled territory. Fighting in Karen National Liberation Army 5th and 1st Brigades has now spread to KNLA Brigade 6 and Brigade 7. Local…

By Saw Wai Thoo and Sa I Sue Despite her early prevention strategies, Naw Hsa K’Pru Moo was the only one who was to survive. Her grandmother, father, mother and an uncle, all died within a month of COVID-19. The effect of losing her family in over such a short period has taken its toll on Naw Hsa K’Pru Moo.…

It is six months since Myanmar’s military began dismantling the institutional framework supporting the country’s fledgling democracy by propelling a deadly coup to wrest parliamentary control away from the newly-elected National League of Democracy (NLD) government. Soon after the coup in February 2021, the military swiftly targeted voices of dissent and launched a deadly campaign of violence to silence critics.…

The border crossing will only open for migrant workers returning to Burma. Many workers traveling from other regions of Thailand to Burma were marooned at Mae Sot due to the closure of border crossing in early June. A Burmese official, responsible for receiving the migrant workers, told Karen News. “Around 800 Burmese workers returning from other provinces in Thailand have…

Parents in rural areas of Karen State said they are unable to get their children immunized during Covid-19 outbreaks and because of the chaos caused by the military coup. A Kawkareik Township resident told Karen News children due to get their vaccinations are unable to do so as health centers, hospitals and clinics are closed. The Kawkareik Township resident explained…

Refugee camp residents said the rising price of food items and shortages of food supplies in the camps because of COVID-19 restrictions is causing problems. Refugees told Karen News their situation will get more difficult the longer the epidemic continues and if travel restrictions remain. Naw Keh Paw, a resident of Umphiem Refugee camp said that since the delay of…

On July 27, 2021, more than 3,000 households were affected by floodwaters, especially those houses located near or on the banks of Thaung Yin (Moei) River. The Thaung Yin (Moei) River marks the international border between Burma and Thailand. With continuous rains, the water level in Thaung Yin (Moei) River has risen above dangerous level and continues to rise. More…

Nan Khin Lin, a pharmacy shop owner in Hpa-an said people facing Covid-19’s third wave, are worried pharmacies would close, so they started hoarding medicine. Added to people’s concerns are that drugs companies have also stopped their distribution, creating shortages of medicine. Speaking to Karen News, Nan Khin Lin said she was concerned by the effect both factors would have…