Hidden in the forested hills of Kayah state near the Thai border, volunteers in the Karenni People’s Defense Force practice firing their homemade weapons, do physical training, and play guitar in between skirmishes with the Myanmar military.
2021.07.30
Members of the Karenni People’s Defense Force (KPDF) take part in military training at their camp near Demoso in Kayah state, Myanmar, in early July. (AFP)
A KPDF member examines a magazine of ammunition. (AFP)
The roughly 60 fighters who make up the KPDF say that since May they have fought about 20 skirmishes with the Myanmar military. (AFP)
When not training, members perform maintenance on their homemade rifles. (AFP)
A KPDF member shows off his neck tattoo that reads, "We will never forget and forgive till the end of the world." (AFP)
Members of the KPDF take part in military training at their camp near Demoso in Kayah state. (AFP)
Despite having to fight with makeshift weapons - as well as footwear - hundreds of anti-coup protesters have left Myanmar's towns and cities for insurgent-held areas to receive military training, analysts say. (AFP)
A KPDF member strums a guitar during some downtime at their camp. (AFP)
The KPDF is often outnumbered and outgunned when up against the Myanmar military. (AFP)
The volunteers are determined to continue the fight. "If we all fight, we will win," one told AFP. "I believe we can win." (AFP)
