The Karen are an ethnic minority group in Myanmar, primarily residing in the eastern region of Kayin State along the Thai border. They constitute approximately 7% of Myanmar's population. Since 1949, the Karen movement, primarily led by the Karen National Union (KNU), has been engaged in one of the world's longest-running conflicts against the central Burmese government. Initially seeking independence, the movement shifted in the 1970s to advocate for a federal system that respects the autonomy and rights of ethnic minorities. Over the course of this prolonged conflict, many Karen people sought refuge in Thailand, where over 100,000 refugees remain in camps along the border or in urban areas.
Karen insurgent groups maintain control over significant territories in eastern Kayin State along the Thai border. They work to organize these areas by providing essential services such as healthcare and education while maintaining military readiness to defend their autonomy and freedom.
The Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA), formed in 1994 after splitting from the KNU, is another significant Karen armed group. The split arose partly due to religious differences and dissatisfaction among some Buddhist Karen with the KNU’s Christian-dominated leadership. The DKBA initially aligned with Myanmar’s military regime, the Tatmadaw, gaining resources and territory in return for support. However, over time, factions of the DKBA have returned to conflict with the military regime and, in some cases, collaborated with the KNLA. The DKBA's shifting alliances underscore the complex dynamics within Karen resistance groups and the broader ethnic conflict in Myanmar.
Following the military coup of February 2021, clashes have intensified between the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) and Myanmar's military regime. Since May 2021, many young people from lower Myanmar and Yangon, fleeing arrest and persecution for opposing the regime, have sought refuge in Karen-controlled areas of Kayin State. There, they have received military training and formed People’s Defense Force (PDF) units, joining the KNLA and other ethnic armed groups, including factions of the DKBA, in resisting the military junta.
The escalation of conflict has led to widespread airstrikes targeting civilian populations and convoys of those fleeing toward the Thai border. These strikes have forced many people to seek shelter in makeshift camps in the jungle near the border, as Thai authorities have refused to expand or establish new refugee camps following the crisis triggered by the February 2021 coup.
Democratic Karen Buddist Army (DKBA) parade repetition with wooden nep guns. Kayin State, Myanmar, November 2018
A Karen resident of Tar Law Saw village in traditional dress. Hlaing Bwe township, Hpa An Province in Kayin State, Myanmar, November 2018
The Karen are an ethnic minority of Myanmar and live mainly in the Eastern region of Kayin along the Thai border. The Karen minority makes up approximately 7% of the Burmese population. The Karen movement led mainly by the Karen National Union have waged one of the longest war, since 1949, against the central Burmese government seeking first independence but since the seventies a federal system where the autonomy and rights of ethnic minorities would be respected. During this long conflict numerous Karen sought refuge in Thailand where still over a 100,000 refugees live in refugee camps along the border and in the cities. Karen insurgent groups control large swatches of territory in Eastern Kayin State along the Thai border and try very hard to organise their territory by providing health and education while keeping military forces ready to defend their terrotory and freedom. Democratic Karen Buddist Army recruits following a 3 months long training at a military training center in Karen State. Myanmar, November 2018
Trainees of the Democratic Karen Buddist Army taking a rest in between exercises. Karen State, Myanmar, November 2018
A Karen resident of Tar Law Saw village close to the Thai border. Hlaing Bwe township, Hpa An Province in Kayin State, Myanmar, November 2018
Democratic Karen Buddist Army parade repetition with wooden nep guns. Kayin State, Myanmar, November 2018
Women recruits following a military training with a focus on medical aid and nursing. Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA) training center, Myanmar, November 2018
Members of the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA) orchestra during a rehearsel of a military parade. Kayin State, Myanmar, November 2018
A Karen resident of Tar Law Saw village close to the Thai border. Hlaing Bwe township, Hpa An Province in Kayin State, Myanmar, November 2018
Democratic Karen Buddist Army recruits following a 3 months long training at a military training center in Karen State. Myanmar, November 2018
Class for young girls and boys of the Karen ethnic minority, Lae Gho village, Kayin State, Myanmar, November 2018
Member of the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA) orchestra during a rehearsel of a military parade. Kayin State, Myanmar, November 2018
Democratic Karen Buddist Army Karen State, Myanmar, November 2018
A Karen village leader who lost his leg in 1996 on a landmine. Numerous landmines and unexploded divices still form a real treat for the communities living in the former conflict zones of Kayin State. Lae Gho village in Kayin State, Myanmar. November 2018
Karen children at the school's playground. The school is located in territory controlled by the Karen National Union in Myanmar just accros the border with Thailand. May Pow Kay village in Kayin State, Myanmar, November 2018
Karen children in their classroom, Lae Gho village, Karen State, Myanmar, November 2018
Democratic Karen Buddist Army recruits following a 3 months long training at a military training center in Karen State. Myanmar, November 2018
Child of the Karen minority in Kayin State, Myanmar, November 2018
Recruits of the Democratic Karen Buddist Army training camp. Karen State, Myanmar, November 2018
Preparations for a Karen funeral, Lae Gho, Karen State, Myanmar, November 2018
Democratic Karen Buddist Army recruits listening during a briefing. Karen State, Myanmar, November 2018
Democratic Karen Buddist Army recruits following a training at a military training center in Karen State. They will follow drills for a period of 3 months. During parade repetition they use nep wooden guns. Myanmar, November 2018
Small shop at a training camp for Democratic Karen Buddist Army recruits. Karen State, Myanmar, November 2018
Preparations for a Karen funeral, Lae Gho, Karen State, Myanmar, November 2018
Members of the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA) orchestra during a rehearsel of a military parade. Kayin State, Myanmar, November 2018
A Karen school teacher in her class, Lae Gho village, Myanmar, November 2018
Trainees of the Democratic Karen Buddist Army taking a rest in between exercises. Karen State, Myanmar, November 2018
Members of the Karen National Liberation Army, one of the main armed groups defending the Karen ethnic minority in Burma. Kayin State, Myanmar, November 2018
Elderly Karen woman living in a village just accorss the border of Thailand. Lae Gho village, Myanmar, November 2018
Democratic Karen Buddist Army recruits following a 3 months long training at a military training center in Karen State. Myanmar, November 2018
Democratic Karen Buddist Army recruits following a training at a military training center in Karen State. They will follow drills for a period of 3 months. During parade repetition they use nep wooden guns. Myanmar, November 2018
An un-official crossing point between Thailand and the Karen State in Myanmar used to transport goods and people illigally accross the border. Mae Sot area, Thailand, November 2018
Members of the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA) orchestra during a rehearsel of a military parade. Kayin State, Myanmar, November 2018
Democratic Karen Buddist Army recruits following a 3 months long training at a military training center in Karen State. Myanmar, November 2018
An elderly woman of the Karen minority in eastern Myanmar. Tar Law Saw village in Hpa An Province in Kayin State, November 2018
Member of the close protection unit of the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army, Kayin State, Myanmar, November 2018
Home made gun used for hunting in time of peace. Hlaing Bwe Township, Hpa An Province in Karen State, Myanmar, November 2018
Democratic Karen Buddist Army parade rehearsel with wooden nep guns. Kayin State, Myanmar, November 2018
