The Kawthoolei Army (KTLA), a Karen National Union (KNU) splinter group, stated that it has established an independent republic in territory under its control in Myawaddy Township, Karen State, on Monday.
It added that KTLA chief-of-staff Nerdah Mya, who is the son of former KNU leader Bo Mya, is the new president of the “independent Kawthoolei Republic” on Jan. 5, which marked the 78th Karen Independence Day from Britain.
The KTLA is an anti-military militia that split from the KNU in 2022 after its armed wings, the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) and the Karen National Defence Organization (KNDO), dismissed Nerdah Mya from his position as KNDO chief-of-staff on July 20, 2022. Three days before his dismissal Nerdah Mya established the KTLA.
Its headquarters is located in Sukali village in Myawaddy along the Myanmar-Thailand border, opposite Thailand’s Tak Province, and 81 miles (130 km) east of the Karen State capital Hpa-An.
A political analyst in Karen State told DVB on the condition of anonymity that no “informed” individuals would support such a move, calling Nerdah Mya “incompetent and inexperienced.”
Other independent analysts told DVB that the KTLA actions “deepen divisions among Karen people.”
The KNU accused Nerdah Mya of “extrajudicial killing” after 25 people, who were alleged to be spies for the regime in Naypyidaw, were killed by the KTLA in June 2021.
Media reported that the KTLA operates in Karen’s Myawaddy as well as Tanintharyi Region’s Myeik and Dawei townships.
Myawaddy is also where the Karen Border Guard Force (BGF) is based. It is a pro-military militia which, as of Jan. 1, refers to itself as the Karen National Army (KNA), after declaring a split from the regime in 2024.
The Democratic Karen Benevolent Army (DKBA) and the KNU/KNLA Peace Council – both of which are signatories to the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) with the military – are also based in Myawaddy.
The BGF, which is headquartered in Myawaddy’s Shwe Kokko town, also operates in Hlaingbwe, Hpapun, and Kyainseikgyi townships. Shwe Kokko is located 16 miles (26 km) north of Myawaddy town and 91 miles (148 km) east of Hpa-An.
The DKBA, headquartered in Myawaddy’s Sone See Myaing village, located south of Myawaddy town and southeast of Hpa-An, also operates in Kyainseikgyi, Manerplaw, Hlaingbwe, and Payathonzu, or Three Pagodas Pass in southern Karen State.
The KNU/KNLA Peace Council’s headquarters is located in Kawkareik Township. It also operates in Hlaingbwe. The two towns are 24-55 miles (38-88 km) north and southeast of Hpa-An.
