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.
A Karen boy with thanaka on his face. Thanaka is widely used in Myanmar by all ethnic groups to purify and protect the skin. Kayin State, Myanmar, March 2019
A Karen soldier of the DKBA armed group. Kayin State, Myanmar, March 2019
A KNDO soldier that lost his leg during the conflict, playing a traditional Burmese volley-football. Kaw Tho Lei village in Kayin State, Myanmar, March 2019
DBKA soldiers rehearsing before a military memorial ceremony. Waw Lay, Kayin State, Myanmar, March 2019
Dining facility for guests of a Karen military parade. Kayin State, Myanmar, March 2019
Improvised barracks for DKBA soldiers attending a military memorial ceremony in Waw Lay. Kayin State, Myanmar, March 2019
Karen villager in Taotah, a remote village in Kayin State, Myanmar, March 2019
An official memorial ceremony for a General of the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army in Waw Lay village. The DBKA in a Karen minority armed group that is not under contol of the Myanmar Army but with whom a ceasefire has been agreed. Kayin State, Myanmar, March 2019
Karen combattant that lost his leg on an anti personnel mine in Kayin State, Myanmar, March 2019
An informal border crossing on the Waw Le river seperating Thailand and DKBA contolled territory within Burma. Kayin State, Myanmar, March 2019
KNDO soldier during a break. Kaw Tho Lei, Kayin State, Myanmar, March 2019
Karen children competing in a traditional Karen boxing tournament in Waw Lay, Kayin State, Myanmar, March 2019
Karen soldiers of the DKBA armed group. Kayin State, Myanmar, March 2019
Villagers and family of combattants attending a workshop about humanitarian law and protection of civilians during armed conflict. Kaw Tho Lei village in government non-controlled territory. Kayin State, Myanmar, March 2019
KNDO soldiers fishing in the Moei River seperating Thailand and Kayin State in Myanmar, March 2019
KNDO soldier patrolling one of the access roads to the KNDO Headquarter. Kayin State, Myanmar, March 2019
Karen National Defense Organisation soldiers attending a workshop about humanitarian law and protection of civilians during armed conflict. Kaw Tho Lei village in government non-controlled territory. Kayin State, Myanmar, March 2019
Karen National Defense Organisation Soldiers resting in their barracks. Kayin State, Myanmar, March 2019
An official memorial ceremony for a General of the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army in Waw Lay village. The DBKA in a Karen minority armed group that is not under contol of the Myanmar Army but with whom a ceasefire has been agreed. Kayin State, Myanmar, March 2019
Children of Karen combattants playing near the KNDO Headquarters in Kayin State, Myanmar, March 2019
Karen soldiers of the DKBA armed group. Kayin State, Myanmar, March 2019
KNDO soldier during a break. Kaw Tho Lei, Kayin State, Myanmar, March 2019
Karen villagers building a house with local timber. Taotah village in Kayin State, Myanmar, March 2019
Karen villagers building a house with local timber. Taotah village in Kayin State, Myanmar, March 2019
An official memorial ceremony for a General of the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army in Waw Lay village. The DBKA in a Karen minority armed group that is not under contol of the Myanmar Army but with whom a ceasefire has been agreed. Kayin State, Myanmar, March 2019
KNDO soldier during a break. Kaw Tho Lei, Kayin State, Myanmar, March 2019
Entrance of a Christian church compound in Waw Lay, Karen State, Myanmar, March 2019
Karen National Defense Organisation soldiers attending a workshop about humanitarian law and protection of civilians during armed conflict. Kaw Tho Lei village in government non-controlled territory. Kayin State, Myanmar, March 2019
Children of Karen combattants playing in the barracks of the KNDO Headquarters in Kayin State, Myanmar, March 2019
Karen National Defence Organisation (KNDO) soldiers during a break. Kaw Tho Lei, Kayin State, Myanmar, March 2019
DBKA soldiers rehearsing before a military memorial ceremony. Waw Lay, Kayin State, Myanmar, March 2019
The Karen National Defense Organisation (KNDO) headquater in Kaw Tho Lei in Kayin State, Myanmar, March 2019
Karen villagers building a house with local timber. Taotah village in Kayin State, Myanmar, March 2019
A Karen soldier of the DKBA armed group. Kayin State, Myanmar, March 2019
An official memorial ceremony for a General of the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army in Waw Lay village. The DBKA in a Karen minority armed group that is not under contol of the Myanmar Army but with whom a ceasefire has been agreed. Kayin State, Myanmar, March 2019
An old lady with thanaka on her face. Dining facility for guests of a Karen military parade. Kayin State, Myanmar, March 2019
Children of Karen combattants playing near the KNDO Headquarters in Kayin State, Myanmar, March 2019
An official memorial ceremony for a General of the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army in Waw Lay village. The DBKA in a Karen minority armed group that is not under contol of the Myanmar Army but with whom a ceasefire has been agreed. Kayin State, Myanmar, March 2019
Karen children competing in a traditional Karen boxing tournament in Waw Lay, Kayin State, Myanmar, March 2019
Karen villagers preparing food for a military ceremony in Waw Lay, Kayin State, Myanmar, March 2019
Karen mother and child. KNDO armed group Headquarters in Kayin State, Myanmar, March 2019
