Myanmar Rebel Group Recaptures Historical HQ After 30 Years, Reigniting Long-Standing Struggle
In a major development, the Karen National Union (KNU), an ethnic rebel group in Myanmar, has announced that it has recaptured its long-lost headquarters, Manerplaw, almost three decades after the Myanmar military forced them out. The KNU, which has long fought for the rights of the Karen minority, regained control of the strategic base located near the Thai border after several days of intense fighting with the Myanmar military. KNU leader Saw Thamain Tun confirmed the victory, telling AFP that despite ongoing attempts by junta forces to retake the base—including drone strikes and bombings—the KNU soldiers have successfully established their control over the area once again.
Manerplaw, a site rich with historical significance for the Karen, had been the headquarters of the KNU’s resistance against Myanmar’s military dictatorship for years. It also served as a refuge for other dissidents who opposed the military junta, including prominent political figures. However, after internal divisions within the KNU, a Buddhist faction allied with the military and seized the base in 1995. This event forced thousands of KNU fighters and civilians to flee to neighboring Thailand for safety.
In the aftermath, the military renamed the region as Kayin state and placed the Democratic Kayin Buddhist Organization (DKBO) in control, solidifying the military’s hold over the area. Despite the loss of Manerplaw, the KNU continued its fight for the Karen people’s rights and autonomy, clashing regularly with Myanmar’s military regime. The recapture of Manerplaw is a significant symbolic victory for the group, renewing their commitment to the struggle and honoring the sacrifices made by their comrades. Saw Thamain Tun remarked on the emotional importance of the base, noting that around 100 KNU soldiers who died in earlier battles are buried there. He emphasized the need to rebuild the area as a tribute to their fallen comrades.
The KNU’s victory comes at a time of renewed conflict in Myanmar, which has been in turmoil since the military coup in 2021. The coup ousted the democratically elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi and led to widespread protests and a violent crackdown. Rebel groups like the KNU have intensified their resistance, and the country has become a battleground, with numerous armed factions, including pro-democracy militias known as the “People’s Defence Forces” (PDF), challenging the junta’s rule.
The situation in Myanmar has resulted in a severe humanitarian crisis. According to the United Nations, more than three million people have been displaced due to the ongoing fighting. Thousands have fled across Myanmar's extensive 2,400-kilometer border with Thailand, seeking refuge from the violence. With the KNU’s successful recapture of Manerplaw, Myanmar’s long-standing ethnic and political conflicts remain at the forefront of the country's ongoing struggle for freedom and democracy.
The KNU’s actions represent not just a military victory but also a poignant moment in the history of the Karen people’s resistance. The group’s resilience in the face of overwhelming odds underscores the enduring spirit of opposition to military rule in Myanmar. As clashes continue to escalate, both in the border regions and across the country, the KNU’s actions are a stark reminder of the ongoing fight for autonomy, dignity, and justice in Myanmar.
