AA Commander-in-Chief Major General Twan Mrat Naing Delivers Online Opening Address at First KNDF Conference

News ၊ September 3, 2026

Major General Twan Mrat Naing, Commander-in-Chief of the Arakan Army (AA), joined online to deliver a congratulatory opening address at the first conference of the Karenni Nationalities Defence Force (KNDF).

The KNDF conference was held on August 28 and 29 at an undisclosed location in Karenni State, attended by 105 organization members, including Central Committee members, regional military commanders, department heads, battalion commanders, and administrative personnel.

According to the KNDF, attendees included 91 men and 14 women.

Major General Twan Mrat Naing's participation in this conference highlights the direct involvement of a top leader from another ethnic armed organization in the organizational deliberations of the state-based KNDF.

However, the KNDF’s statement issued today did not disclose specific details regarding the contents of Major General Twan Mrat Naing’s address.

During the conference, delegates reviewed the military and political operations undertaken since the inception of the KNDF and discussed future trajectories for force construction, military operations, and political engagement.

The KNDF emphasized that its revolution is not based solely on military operations, but must proceed hand-in-hand with clear political objectives.

Consequently, it stressed the necessity of translating armed revolutionary gains into sustainable political structures.

According to the statement, the KNDF's objective is to evolve into an armed force operating under civilian government leadership, dedicated to defending a federal democratic system and human rights.

Furthermore, it aims to contribute to the construction of a future federal union in Myanmar grounded in self-determination, supporting a union free from discrimination based on ethnicity or religion.

The statement also noted that concepts related to Security Sector Reform (SSR) and Disarmament, Demobilization, and Reintegration (DDR) are incorporated within its political objectives.

Formed in the Karenni region following the onset of the 2021 Spring Revolution, the KNDF is one of the primary armed organizations conducting active military operations against military commission forces alongside ally revolutionary groups.

According to the statement, decisions were finalized at this conference to proceed with the next phases of KNDF force-building and political roadmap implementation.

Source@KNDF