The Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) called on the Karen peoples' support amid escalated hostilities with the Burma Army in northern Karen State.

 

KNLA’s Brigade-1 (Thaton District), Brigade-3 (Nyaung Laypin District) and Brigade-5 (Mutraw District) are in a standoff with Burma Army troops.

 

In an open letter by the ethnic armed organization (EAO) on the 2760th Karen New Year celebrations, on February 13, the KNLA asked for the support of Karen youth and others for its “defence and security” efforts.

 

Since signing the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) with the Burma Army and government in 2015, the Tatmadaw—as it is locally called—has built eight new bases in northern Karen State, according to the KNLA letter. Currently, there’s 80 Burma Army camps located in Mutraw District.  

In practical terms, the letter said the NCA has done nothing to protect the interests and security of the Karen people.

 

While the KNU, the political arm of the KNLA, worked hard to achieve “national reconciliation”, the “Burmese administration has consistently trespassed into KNU's controlled area in Karen State...opposing efforts to build a genuine federal union” the letter said.

 

During negotiations, the KNU tried to convince the government and Burma Army to reduce Tatmadaw bases in Karen State, pointing out how the deployment of excessive force in the state during peacetime runs contrary to building “mutual trust”.