The Karen National Union (KNU), which has been engaged in civil war with the Burmese military for over 60 years, has instructed personnel of its armed branch, the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA), not to fire on government troops amid ongoing peace talks with the national government, according to Karen sources.

KNU soldiers hold their weapons while standing guard at their base in Karen State. (Photo: Getty Images)

Speaking to Kaowao on Monday, Captain Htat Nay of KNLA Brigade 6 said, “They [KNU leaders in Dooplaya District or Kawkareik Township] sent a telegraph to us on January 2 instructing us not to begin fighting or disturb government troops while the troops travel along the roads in Karen areas during the peace talk process.

“Therefore, Light Infantry Battalion No. 283 from the government’s Military Southeast Command safely arrived on January 8 in Three Pagodas Pass from Moulmein, without encountering fighting with our troops.”

Usually, government troops traveling from Moulmein to Three Pagodas Pass face attacks in KNU-controlled areas, and many government troops have been killed by KNLA troops from ambushes along the roads.

On January 2, KNU also requested ideas from all of its members for possible peace talk agreements with the government, to Captain Htat Nay.

“We all agreed them to let them talk with the government in order to find a political solution because during the 60 years of fighting, there has been very little local development in our community, such as economic, social, education, and religious.

“As consequence of fighting for over 60 years, our Karen people have suffered a lot of human rights abuses,” added Captain Htat Nay.

The KNU says it will continue to hold peace talks with the Burmese government despite the continuation of human rights abuses, including ongoing forced labor, in Karen State.

The Burmese government peace delegation led by Aung Min, Railway Minister, met KNU leaders on December 22 last year, which was the first time the two sides had held peace talks.

Meanwhile, KNLA Brigade 6 has condemned as a terrorist action the bomb that killed four people and wounded over forty others on January 7 at a Karen festival in Anan Kwin village in Kyar Inn Seik Gyi Township, southern Karen State.

Brigade 6 has issued orders for KNLA personnel to take action against anyone found to be responsible for the bomb, saying, “it is an inhumane action against the Karen people who were enjoying their Buddhist religion”.

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