Longest running Insurgency

Mist rose from the Salween river as we crossed over from the safety of Thailand into Karen National Liberation Army territory in Myanmar.  What was waiting at the top of a slight embankment were about a thousand KNLA soldiers, their families, and others gathered to celebrate their annual Independence Day holiday.

Assembled on a parade ground, KNLA soldiers were waiting to form up and march.  The Karen are an ethnic minority that have been at war with whatever government was in power in the capital of Yangon since the end of World War 2.  That makes them the longest-running insurgents in the world.  As the soldiers formed up, clouds heavy with rain gathered in the surrounding mountains. 

​For a photojournalist, the light, people, and mood was special. The moment could have been the opening scene in an action-packed Hollywood drama. Very few westerners then knew of Myanmar and even fewer of the ethnic Karen.  The KNLA is backed by Christian groups and is equipped with semi-automatic assault weapons and western-style deer hunting rifles.

Rebels soldiers with the Karen National Liberation Army attend Independence day ceremonies

Soldiers with the Karen National Liberation Army march in independence day ceremonies.

A young soldiers smokes as others look on.