PA-AN, Karen State — Two hundred Karen civilians and soldiers took part in ceremonies at 6th Brigade headquarters of the Karen National Liberation Army to celebrate the 61st Karen Revolution Day this week. A sense of excitement spead through the camp which is strategically located on top of a mountain ridge near the Thai-Burmese border. Soldiers laughed and some played guitars as they swung in their hammocks. Visitors strolled around taking photos of their friends and family members visited with their loved ones.
“Just over those hills is where the DKBA camp is. It's too dangerous to go any farther," said Saw Mu Tu as we reached an open valley at the top of a hill.
Reflecting on the importance of the day, he said, “It’s a time when we can remember those who gave their lives to protect the Karen people and remember why we are here.”
The DKBA has posed major problems for the KNLA since its formation, pushing it nearer the border. Just last year with the help of the DKBA, the SPDC overran 7th Brigade headquarters, severing the link between the 5th and 6th brigades.
DKBA troops are now in the forefront of SPDC troops as they move closer to armed contact with the 5th brigade. They are now clearing landmines in preparation for an attack on the headquarters camps, which could lead to another loss of territory for the KNLA.
However, KNLA leaders say they don't feel threatened. Col Nerdah Mya, the son of the late Gen Bo Mya, said he is confident that with new tactics the KNLA will come out on top in the battles which will come this year.
“Losing 7th brigade headquarters wasn’t a problem for us," he explained. "Even though they get territory, it doesn’t mean we lost the war.”
Sitting on a bench as the celebrations wrapped up and the parade ground emptied, he said: “We're a guerilla army. If we have a large area, then it’s easy for government troops to take it back. Now we will work in smaller groups with new tactics and new brigades.”
Nerdah Mya said he believes the high morale of KNLA troops is also an important factor.
“The DKBA fight for money and business," he said, "but the KNLA fight for their people. Our battle is one for the people.”
Soldiers voiced similar feelings. Saw Chu Chu, who interrupted his guitar playing, told The Irrawaddy that he was arrested for decorating his restaurant with a Karen flag and harassed by regime troops for his patriotism.
“I love my people, and I'm proud that I am Karen, but the Burmese government wouldn’t allow it,” said Saw Chu Chu.
“I wanted to look after my shop and play rock n roll, but I couldn’t. I heard the news about what was happening in Karen State and decided to come here and fight for my people’s freedom.”
Asked what will happen in the battle zone in 2010, another soldier, Saw Ki To, said simply that many DKBA soldiers will die.
“We’ve been waiting and preparing.” he said. “All the time we are watching the enemy and soon we will strike and take back land which is ours.”
KNLA camps are often lost and retaken, as the battle plan increasingly relies on guerilla tactics as opposed to occupying territory. Even so, Nerdah Mya said morale soared when troops retook Wallakee, the location of 6th Brigade headquarters. The KNLA lost two soldiers and the DKBA lost 72, according to KNLA officers.
In the political arena, the Karen National Union, the political wing of the KNLA, has proposed to form an exiled government with the National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma and other armed ethnic groups. If such a union takes place, it could see the KNLA and other ethnic armies working more closely as part of a larger opposition army, which would strengthen the KNLA position as a fighting force.
Saw Hla Ngwe, the joint-secretary of the KNU, told The Irrawaddy, “Right now is the time when we must unite to form a government with all ethnic armies. The ethnic armies will still have their local responsibilities, but we hope that there will be one army for the whole government. For the KNU, that’s what we want to happen. Then the KNLA and all ethnic armies can become stronger through interdependence and concentrate on cooperation.”
This year, each brigade held its own revolution day ceremony. Among the guests were former KNLA soldiers, Karen refugees from Umpiem Mai camp and others. A young female student read a speech by KNU President Saw Tamla Baw, in which he stressed that the KNU has repeatedly attempted to solve the conflict through political means but the SPDC has not accepted their offers.
“The KNU has talked with the military dictatorship on a number of occasions.” he said in the text of the speech. “However, the military dictatorship, without any desire to resolve the conflict by peaceful means, has continued its attempt to annihilate the Karen people’s resistance by military means.”
A young student from Umpiem Mai, Oh Su, who showed up to join the celebration, said she was upset that the ceremony was held under the trees and “we have no chance to do it on a stage."
“But I am so happy we can do it at all," she said.
Many young people expressed a desire to join the KNLA after their studies. Some of them said they would like to work in headquarters while others said they would like to serve as combat soldiers.
Despite the problems that the KNLA faces, it seems that a sense of duty remains among young Karen, the troops appear to be confident and commanders say that innovation and new tactics will stymie government offenses.
As the sun set over the parade ground and civilians began the long walk back to their homes, one soldier said quietly, “Last year was hard, but this year we can do it.”
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