Myanmar's Ethnic Rebels: Defining Role in Armed Resistance Against Military
Ethnic rebels, particularly the Karen National Union (KNU), are emerging as a significant threat to Myanmar's ruling junta, with recent battlefield victories pushing the military into its weakest position since the 2021 coup. The KNU, Myanmar's oldest rebel group, has been fighting for the ethnic Karen people for 74 years and has armed and trained insurgents from other ethnic groups, including the Bamar majority. The alliance of ethnic rebels has launched synchronized attacks across the country, challenging the military's control. The KNU's armed wing, the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA), has grown to over 10,000 troops, including new recruits from various ethnic backgrounds. The rebels control territory, collect taxes, and run schools and hospitals, posing a potent challenge to the military's rule.