KPSN warns of rising attacks on civilians despite KNLA territorial gains

Mizzima

The Karen Peace Support Network (KPSN) released a new report on 9 December 2025 as part of their continuing analysis of the conflict and governance changes taking place in Kawthoolei since the 2021 military coup.

The report aims to highlight what happens once areas of Myanmar are freed from the junta occupation. The group notes that this receives less attention than the junta’s territorial losses or gains.

The Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) and its allies have now liberated almost the entire eastern border of Kawthoolei since the 2021 coup. People living in these areas, KPSN says, are now free from the junta’s rule.

Kawthoolei is considered by the Karen National Union (KNU) to encompass Karen State and parts of Mon State, Bago Region, and Tanintharyi Region.  Its eastern border forms a major portion of Myanmar’s international border with Thailand.

In gaining control of most of the border, the KNLA has captured at least 55 military camps in the last 13 months. This brings the total number of military camps taken by the KNLA and its allies since February 2021 to 193 across the KNU’s seven districts in