Karen conflict

Karen conflict
Part of the internal conflict in Myanmar

A KNLA medic treats IDPs in Hpapun District, Kayin State.
Date31 January 1949 – present
(75 years, 9 months, 2 weeks and 4 days)
Location
Kayin State, Myanmar (primarily)
Status

Ongoing

Belligerents

 Myanmar

Karen National Army[1][2]

Former:

Karen National Union

Commanders and leaders
Former:
Strength

43,000 (1951)[citation needed]

30,000

4,000+ (1951)[citation needed]

6,000–7,000[4]
1,500[5]
Casualties and losses
Since 1989:
4,600+ killed[6][7]
200,000 civilians displaced[8][9]

The Karen conflict is an armed conflict in Kayin State, Myanmar (formerly known as Karen State, Burma). It is part of the wider internal conflict in Myanmar between the military government and various minority groups. Karen nationalists have been fighting for an independent state, known as Kawthoolei, since 1949.[10] The Karen National Union (KNU) and its Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) are the most prominent Karen rebel groups.[11] Hundreds of thousands of civilians have been displaced by the conflict, many of whom fled to neighbouring Thailand and survive in refugee camps.[8][9]

Tensions between the Karen and the Bamar ethnic majority in Myanmar have existed since the British colonial era, based on the British 'direct and indirect rule' policy and Karen soldiers' roles in putting down Burmese rebellions in the late 19th century.[12] Around the time of Burmese independence, the Karen National Defence Organisation (KNDO) was formed as an armed wing of the Karen National Union (KNU) to put down a communist rebellion. After the Burmese government settled for peace and allowed communist back into national politics, a series of tensions, escalations and battles led to the KNU declaring formally war on the Burmese government on 31 January 1949.[13]

  1. ^ "Karen BGF to rename itself 'Karen National Army'". Myanmar Now. 6 March 2024.
  2. ^ Caleb Quinley; Khun Kali (1 May 2024). "A sanctioned strongman and the 'fall' of Myanmar's Myawaddy". Al Jazeera.
  3. ^ "DKBA appoints new Commander-in-Chief". Mizzima. 22 April 2016. Archived from the original on 8 January 2018. Retrieved 8 January 2018.
  4. ^ "Briefing Paper No. 1" (PDF). Burma center for Ethnic Studies. January 2012. Archived from the original (PDF) on 3 March 2016.
  5. ^ "Myanmar Peace Monitor: Stakeholders – DKBA-5". Archived from the original on 17 November 2015. Retrieved 13 November 2015.
  6. ^ "UCDP – Uppsala Conflict Data Program". ucdp.uu.s. Archived from the original on 8 March 2021. Retrieved 6 November 2023.
  7. ^ "UCDP – Uppsala Conflict Data Program". ucdp.uu.se. Archived from the original on 9 March 2021. Retrieved 6 November 2023.
  8. ^ a b South 2011, p. 10.
  9. ^ a b Worland 2010, p. 23.
  10. ^ South 2011, p. 6.
  11. ^ Pattisson, Pete (16 January 2007). "On the run with the Karen people forced to flee Burma's genocide". The Independent. Archived from the original on 20 April 2019. Retrieved 20 April 2019.
  12. ^ Aung-Thwin & Aung-Thwin 2013, p. 180, 182 and 191.
  13. ^ Callahan 2005, p. 118–132.