Myanmar Military Getting Brutal, KNU Armed Ethnic Group Guards Anti-Coup Protesters

JAKARTA - Irritated by the repressive actions of the Myanmar military towards anti-military coup protesters. The armed ethnic group Karen National Union (KNU) deployed personnel of the 4th Brigade, the military wing of the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA).

The troops are based in Dawei, Tanintharyi Region, escorting anti-military regime protesters in the region, on Monday, February 8. Carrying various types of long-barreled firearms, they escorted the protesters on the front, right-left, and rear sides on Monday 8 February. Photos of KNLA soldiers escorting today's protesters have been widely uploaded on social media.

Meanwhile, the KNU itself last February had publicly informed its support for the anti-coup protesters of the Myanmar military. Judging from the Karen Information Center (KIC) website, armed KNLA personnel were present in the midst of the protesters. In fact, they also distributed food and drinks to the protesters.

VOI previously reported, KNU, which is one of the oldest armed groups in Myanmar, also signed the National Armistice Agreement (NCA) on October 15, 2015. Since the beginning, they criticized the coup carried out by the Myanmar military on February 1.

The KNU wields considerable political-military influence among the signatories to the NCA, calling on the Tatmadaw (Myanmar military) to release all detained unconditionally, as a gesture of national reconciliation.

"Including government leaders and democracy activists. Solving all political problems peacefully through dialogue," exclaimed the KNU in a statement as reported by The Irrawaddy some time ago.

In fact, the KNU said it would support the people of Myanmar in establishing a federal union, while protecting the transition to democracy.

The Myanmar military also responded by holding a special meeting of the Peace Process Steering Committee (PPST) from the group that signed the Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) in 2015.

"The Tatmadaw (military) said they would hold talks to achieve concrete peace with the signatories to the NCA. They said they would try to build as concrete peace as possible," said PPST spokesman who is also KNU Secretary-General Padoh Saw Ta Doh Moo.

The NCA was signed by the Government of Myanmar with representatives of armed ethnic groups in Myanmar. A total of 10 civilian armed groups participated in signing the NCA on 15 October 2015, out of a total of 15 ethnic groups invited by the Government of Myanmar.

Those who signed were ABSDF, Arakan Liberation Party, Chin National Front, DKBA-5, KNU, KNU/KNLA Peace Council, Lahu Democratic Union, New Mon State Party, Pa-O National Liberation Army, and RCSS.

"The struggle for power by Tatmadaw greatly hampers the transition to democracy and shows a lack of seriousness in the process of solving political problems through political means and greatly affects the future of the country which is already faced with a mountain of challenges," said KNU.

Myanmar Coup. The VOI editorial team continues to monitor the political situation in that one of the ASEAN member countries. Casualties from civilians continue to fall. Readers can follow the news covering the Myanmar military coup by clicking this link.