An interview with a member of the leading committee of the Karenni National Defense Force (KNDF)
July 9th, 2021
The Karenni National Defense Force (KNDF) is one of the shining examples in the Spring Revolution. The KNDF is the collection of the People’s Defense Forces in Townships in Karenni State. The KNDF destroyed some army tanks and captured some military camps. The following interview is about the KNDF’s current situation and the future plan.
Q: May I know the KNDF’s current situation and future plan?
A: As all we know, the KNDF has started fighting. Now the KNDF has made a recollection. A total of 18 battalions will emerge. We will get the number of members and arms in each battalion. There may be fighting more or less as the military council has stepped up its military operations in the state during this month. This time, we will be well prepared for the fighting. Especially, we believe that we can do our work well such as giving orders, the supply of bullets, ammunition and techniques. On the other hand, the supply to the KNDF remains weak. We are doing it on a small scale. We have not received any help from the NUG yet. We are trying to get in touch with the NUG. On the other hand, we are preparing to provide better assistance for the entire battle. What we expect is we will turn our members into federal citizens after the military dictatorship is taken down. We will become the civilians under the civilian government elected by the public. On the other hand, for those who want to live as a civilian, we have allowed them to become a civilian after cancelling their records about their profiles and involvements. Another point is that the KNDF needs tactics and military commander as it is formed with the People’s Defense Forces in our state. According to our agreement, the chief of the Karenni National Progressive Party (KNPP) will be the KNDF’s military chief. The KNDF is mainly responsible for all tasks, logistics and other affairs.
Q: May I know the reason for the ceasefire in the state?
A: It is not the ceasefire between the KNDF and the army. On the other hand, religious leaders and the Karenni National People’s Liberation Front made a ceasefire with the army in order that some people could carry rations and take shelter. The KNDF has accepted it. But the military council is still carrying out the arrests and killings of the people and military operations. It is our principle which cannot allow the military’s administration. The fighting will resume sooner or later due to such acts done by the military council.
Q: What is the KNDF’s future cooperation with the local armed organizations which have made peace?
A: At present, there is just understanding. I think better cooperation is expected through this understanding. But we have not reached a full understanding yet. We are the public forces which have a desire to make an end to military rule. We don’t exactly know what the armed organization’s necessities and desires are. Especially, whether to fight against the army is their own decision. Fighting will continue as long as the military council behaves like this. Cooperation will depend on their desires and situations. But what we expect is to achieve success with the minimal loss in the fight against the military council. The sure point is cooperation between all local armed organizations is the best. If not, we have decided to continue to fight against the army. I hope that even if there is no cooperation and joint attacks, both sides shall have understanding.
Q: What about the situation of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs)?
A: Due to urban warfare, some parts of Loikaw, Demawso and Moebye Townships have become like the ghost cities. Some IDPs go home due to a lesser number of fighting. Some people return to their homes to take their materials back. Urban population has abandoned the city. This is the current situation. According to our estimate, an estimated 100,000 people are hiding near the village. Especially, urban population especially has to flee to safer places. There are the IDPs even in the places like Shardaw, Bawlakhe and Hpasawng, where there is no fighting. The IDPs face difficulties with water, electricity, accommodation and ration. The worst situation is medicine and health care as all the staff have joined the CDM, and medicines are in short supply on the ground. The IDPs have no health care due to the lack of medicine and the lower number of staff as a result of fighting. There are other difficulties. Recent days, the situation has improved to a certain extent. The number of IDPs does not decline as many people are concerned about the fighting.
Asked by Maw Oo Myar (the Kantarawaddy Times)
