Calls for loyalty, steadfast anti-regime efforts in Karenni Army chief speech on group’s 76th birthday

By Admin 17 Aug 2024

DMG Newsroom
17 August 2024, Sittwe

Brigadier-General Aung Myat, the military chief of the Karenni Army (KA) and Karenni Nationalities Defense Force (KNDF), anti-regime groups fighting the regime in Karenni (Kayah) State, has warned political parties and politicians in Karenni State not to betray the popular revolt against the regime in the state.

As the KA commemorated the 76th anniversary of its founding on Saturday, Brig-Gen Aung Myat called on the ethnic armed group to stand by the people with unwavering faith.

“‘The people’ I am referring to don’t include opportunists, self-seeking politicians and egocentric businessmen. People must take extra caution against those opportunists. I want to tell the political parties and politicians in Karenni State not to pursue a policy of relying heavily on outside groups.”

The KA was founded by seven comrades on August 17, 1948, and is one of the oldest ethnic armies in Myanmar. The KA says it does not represent a particular ethnic group, but rather the Karenni State.

Brig-Gen Aung Myat urged the troops to support and guide comrades from allied anti-regime organisations with patience and tolerance.

He said he is proud that young people have joined the armed struggle against the regime, and urged them to work with a sense of responsibility and accountability.

“You must work with the attitude that you are the ones who will assume the state’s responsibilities in the future. Don’t be emotional. And you must have a sense of responsibility and accountability,” said Brig-Gen Aung Myat.

“You must start practising now. You must bear in mind that the country will have no future if you don’t have a sense of responsibility and accountability,” he added.

He demanded complete obedience from KA personnel, urging them to comply with the code of conduct, traditional customs, international laws governing human rights, prisoners of war, and rules of engagement, and to protect civilians, particularly women and children.

The KA is obliged to protect the people living in Karenni State, he added.