Myanmar's military government declares Karen ethnic rebels a terrorist group as elections loom
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Myanmar Declares Karen National Union 'Terrorist Group'
Above: Fighters from the Karen National Union (KNU) at a parade on the border with Thailand on Jan. 31, 2024. Image copyright: Athens Zaw Zaw/picture alliance/Getty Images
The Spin
Pro-government narrative
Given its escalating violence against civilians and infrastructure, it's fully justified to designate the KNU as a terrorist organization. The group has abandoned any pretense of legitimate resistance by targeting civilian areas and destroying critical infrastructure that ordinary Myanmar citizens depend on.
Government-critical narrative
Junta leaders are desperate. They are the real terrorists as they seized power illegally, murdered peaceful protesters and now resort to name-calling as legitimate resistance forces fighting for democracy and federal autonomy make consistent territorial gains.