Karen National Union (KNU) declared a terrorist organisation by the Myanmar military government (August 2025), criminalizing any connection to the group. This action intensifies the situation of the current civil war that has taken hold of the nation since the 2021 coup.
Who Is the KNU?
The KNU is the ethnic minority Karen in southeast Myanmar and has been fighting to gain autonomy since 1948. It stopped fighting after a coup, although it had signed a ceasefire in 2015. Its military arm, the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA), has joined pro-democracy forces and anti-establishment activists in the city.
Military's Stand
The junta accuses KNU of posing security threats to the population, destroying infrastructure, and killing people. Senior General Min Aung Hlaing threatened to retaliate against those who interfere with the December 2025 elections; which the military says will be free and fair.
KNU's Response
The KNU refused the terrorist label and charged the military itself with crimes. It has pledged to boycott and fight the polls, which are opposed by the opposition groups as an effort to legitimise the military rule. Electoral credibility has also been weakened by the dissolution of the NLD under Aung San Suu Kyi.
Impact on Conflict
Even peaceful KNU activities such as political campaigns and reaching the masses are criminalised by the label. It threatens to escalate further the combating in Kayin state which is a major battlefield. The situation is unlikely to get better, with a number of ethnic armed groups and pro-democracy militias still resisting military rule.
Ethnic Dimension
The autonomy of ethnic minorities (such as the Karen) has always been in demand. This alignment of ethnic and democratic struggles in the Myanmar civil conflict is highlighted by the fact that KNU allied itself with pro-democracy movements.
Month: Current Affairs - September 02, 2025
Category: current affairs daily