Interview with Karenni Nationalities Defense Force (KNDF)
7 June 2021
Karenni Nationalities Defense Force (KNDF) was formed on 31 May through uniting all People’s Defense Forces (PDFs) in various townships which are fighting against military troops across Karenni State.
KNDF is an all-inclusive organization comprised with all of the PDFs from Loikaw, Demoso, Nam Mae Khon and Moe Byae. Responsible person of KNDF News and Information proclaimed that they would fight against the military council to the end.
MPM : Please tell me about the purpose of forming Karenni Nationalities Defense Force (KNDF).
KNDF : We combined all of the scattering youth forces across the Karenni State. The main reason why we united is that the possibility of the success is relatively low if our youths keep operating separately against the military troops. That is why we chose to unite as one in order to fight together, instead of attacking separately with limited forces.
MPM : What is the objective of KNDF?
KNDF : Our objective is that all people in the State are amalgamating, cooperating and working together with each other. We don’t want our people to be disunited. Therefore, we have to try our best in order to collaborate with unity. Particularly, our objective is almost identical with that of Karenni National Progressive Party (KNPP).
MPM : Does KNDF represent all of the PDFs across Karenni State?
KNDF : There are certain places where our KNDF has not covered yet. For instance, it can be concluded that KNDF covers about 70% or 80% of the entire State.
MPM : If so, are there any groups or teams left to join your group?
KNDF : All of the groups are fighting against the military dictators thus our goals and objectives will be the same. However, there might be slight differences in the structure and operation system.
MPM : What is the main challenge for KNDF during the battles?
KNDF : The main challenge is armament. The armaments insufficiency is the biggest challenge for us.
MPM : What do you want to say about the battles happening in Demoso township since May 21?
KNDF : It can be said that we are now in a better position than the military troops. Predominantly, we can do guerilla operations. Since almost all of the PDFs in Karenni State had joined together as ONE under the umbrella of KNDF, the strength of cooperation and collaboration has obviously increased and the quality of the information flow is relatively high. Such kind of good factors help us to take advantage of the enemy.
MPM : According to international law, military helicopters cannot be used in the civil war. Do you want to give any comment upon the Military Council’s use of helicopters in Demoso fighting on May 31?
KNDF : Although international law prohibits the use of military helicopters in the civil war, the Burma Army is constantly committing the law and rules. The international community needs to strongly condemn upon such evil manner of Military Council and in particular to take serious actions upon it. However, until even today, the international community has not yet imposed any action upon such reckless Military Council. In fact, their use of helicopters is revealing that their situation is unstable.
MPM : For the sake of Karenni State, what do you want to say international community regarding the Military Council use of helicopters in the battles?
KNDF : We have only one view on this issue. Our Karenni issue must be solved by our Karenni people on our own. There is no definite expectation from the international and we have not planned to rely upon the international community. I believe Karenni people must solve the Karenni problem themselves.
MPM : Does KNDF have any connection with CRPH or NUG? Do you have certain expectation from those institutions?
KNDF : We have contacted and worked with Karenni State Consultative Council (KSCC), rather than CRPH. In my personal view, CRPH and NUG are still difficult to implement their plans in practice. Though there had been a connection to certain extent, the potential for implementation is very low. If they are able to provide and willing to support the sufficient subsidy and armaments, there is no reason to deny their generous help. But if they do not have such kind of capacity for assistance, we have nothing to expect from them. Though NUG is declared as being embraced the whole country, it has not reached yet to the implementation stage in the practical ground level. We therefore do not have much expectation from them.
MPM : Are you satisfied upon CRPH and NUG? How do you want them to be?
KNDF : Frankly speaking, we are not satisfied upon CRPH and NUG. It is undeniable that their actions do not work as effective as we have expected. Therefore, we don’t have any specific expectation from them. But we are ready to join. Later they will know our ground situations in detail. I hope they can work better than now after they actually realize the real ground situations. As long as they have not known the situations we are facing, they will not fully understand about us and therefore it will be still difficult to work with them.
MPM : The fighting in Karenni State has been over two weeks. Whist having a lot of suppression in Karenni State, what should the other Regions or States do?
KNDF : In fact, it is the best time for other areas to resist against Military Council while the battles are intensifying in our Kayah State. There is however no resistance in those areas. If all Regions and States fight together in a unison as like in Kayah State, our journey of revolution will take just a couple of months, not the couple years. For instance, if other regions stay quiet or calm when Military Council oppresses Kachin State, it is sure we will never win our common enemy. The most important thing we should do is to fight together at the same time.
MPM : Do you want to add something?
KNDF : Firstly, getting the true information is very important. It is also important not to believe the false news or fake news. Secondly, we should improve the strength of our linked connection among villages. In the meantime, while the flow of goods is interrupted, every village should help each other—if one village has enough rice and another has money but no rice. It is important to be unified. Next, there is still the flow of goods in Loikaw even until today therefore those living in Loikaw should save or collect the goods, including raw materials and provisions, as possible as they can. Moreover, I think we have to make more preparation. We make sure the rice and other supplies to be stored for a long time. Battles will definitely extend to Loikaw. Loikaw people could not ignore what is happening in Demoso. Attacking Demoso is like attacking Loikaw. We need to help each other through the bond of brotherhood.
MPM : Thank you.
Sent by
Maw Oo Myar (Kantarawaddy Times)
