The Karenni Nationalities Defense Force (KNDF) was formed on May 31st after bringing together coordination of the Civil Defense Forces (CDFs) in Loikaw, Dwemawso, Nammalkhone Townships in Karenni State and Moebye Township.
The following is an interview with the information official of the KNDF about the future tasks.
Q: What is the purpose of forming the KNDF?
A: It is a merger of all scattered youth forces in Karenni State. The main point is, the chance of victory is slim if we fight against the military council in an uncoordinated scattered fashion. We have formed the KNDF to collectively fight against the military council.
Q: What is the objective of the KNDF?
A: Our objective is to ensure the unity of people in Karenni State, promote cooperation and follow closely the stand of the Karenni National Progressive Party (KNPP).
Q: Can the KNDF represent all CDFs in the whole Karenni State?
A: Our coverage cannot reach some places. For instance, our representation in Karenni State is 70 or 80 percent.
Q: Are some groups left out as the KNDF doesn’t represent all groups?
A: All groups have the same objective: to fight against the military council. As I mentioned earlier the organizational set-up of the groups are different.
Q: What is the major difficulty of the KNDP in the fighting?
A: The major difficulty is the shortage of weapons and ammunition. Not having enough weapons and ammunition is the biggest problem.
Q: What is your view on the fighting in Demawso Township which started since May 21st?
A: We got the upper hand. We operated more efficiently thanks to the formation of the KNDF, and its guerrilla operations. The information flow is more accurate. I think thanks these factors we got the upper hand.
Q: May I know your comment on the shooting and bombing in the Demawso fighting on May 31st.
A: Although the use of military planes deployed against civilian communities in the civil war is banned according to international law, the military council carrying thus out. International communities need to denounce it. More efforts should be made for action against it.
Q: Do you have any message to the international communities about the action against the use of helicopters by the military council in the civil war and the Karenni affairs.
A: My view is that only Karenni people have to rely on themselves to bring changes in Karenni affairs and I don’t expect international agencies help in military affairs.
Q: How does the KNDF connect with the CRPH and the NUG? What do you expect from them?
A: We have more connection with the Karenni State Consultative Council (KSCC) rather than the CRPH. I think in practice, the connection with the CRPH and the NUG is very distant. Although we have some link to them, it is not very strong at this stage. We expect in the future it may be possible to provide us with budget and weapons but now we expect nothing if the CRPH and the NUG have nothing. I think the NUG has not reach the stage of practical implementation on the ground. That’s why, we don’t have much expectations from them.
Q: Are you satisfied with them? What do you want them to do?
A: My answer to that question is I am not satisfied with the NUG. The reason is their practical operations are not yet significant. We do not expect much from them. It is difficult to work with them as long as they don’t have much knowledge about our situation on the ground.
Q: It has been over two weeks since the fighting took place in Karenni State. What should other regions and states do when the military council is pressuring Karenni State?
A: This is the best time for other regions and states to launch operations against the junta when there is intense fighting in Karenni State. If all regions and states combine, coordinate and unify their military operations against the military council at the same time, we will achieve success in a matter of months. For example when the army attacked and bombed the Kachin State, other ethnic armies did nothing. If we all attack the military council simultaneously in many regions and places is the best way to defeat them.
Q: Do you have anything to add?
A: The main point is the access to accurate information. It is very important for us not to believe erroneous and fake news. There should be better connections among the villages. Some villages have paddy, while other villages have money. The villages should help each other. It is important to have unity at this crucial juncture. The people in Loikaw can buy commodities easily. The people there should collect commodities and make more preparations for the future when the war may well spread to Loikaw. The offensive against Demawso has a similar impact on Loikaw. The people need to help each other with the spirit of brotherhood. .
