CNI News
18 November 2025
Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, Chairman of the State Security and Peace Commission, stated that the groups actively undermining peace and stability in Kayin (Karen) State are the armed organizations operating within the state.
He made the statement during a meeting with state-level department officials and community elders in Hpa-An, Kayin State, on November 15, 2025.
Senior General Min Aung Hlaing said: "Since the time the country gained independence, Kayin State has suffered from the loss of peace and stability due to armed insurgency, which has affected the people living in the state as well as the entire country. The groups working to destabilize Kayin State are the armed organizations within the state itself. Only with peace and stability can young people pursue education, healthcare services be provided to the public, and regional development projects be carried out."
Senior General Min Aung Hlaing seen
He therefore urged the residents of the state to take action by all means necessary to prevent activities that undermine peace and stability, which damage the state's development.
Senior General Min Aung Hlaing also added: "The State is working to clear and deal with the activities that undermine peace and stability in Kayin State. The Tatmadaw is carrying out clearance operations at KK Park, near the Myanmar-Thai border, where online financial fraud and online gambling are being run, and this will be completely resolved as a national duty."
Armed groups operating in Kayin State include the Karen National Union (KNU), the Democratic Karen Benevolent Army (DKBA), the Karen National Union/Karen National Liberation Army-Peace Council (KNU/KNLA-PC), the Karen State Border Guard Force/Karen National Army (BGF/KNA), the Kaw Thoo Lei Army (KTA) led by Saw Nedah Mya (who was expelled from the KNU), the New Mon State Party (NMSP), and the People's Defence Force (PDF) groups.
Senior General Min Aung Hlaing seen
Among these armed groups, the BGF/KNA operates under the Tatmadaw, while the DKBA, KNU/KNLA-PC, and NMSP have signed the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) and are not currently fighting the Tatmadaw.
The KNU has withdrawn from the NCA and is leading the PDFs in the fight to overthrow the Tatmadaw, while the KTA is also fighting the Tatmadaw.
Currently, intense fighting is ongoing between the Myanmar military and the KNU-PDF joint forces in Kayin State, leading to the suspension of trade along the Myawaddy-Kawkareik Asian Highway.
