The Karenni Nationalities Defence Force (KNDF) of Myanmar issued a video message on Monday in support of Syrian Kurds and the autonomous region in northern Syria. “From one overlooked revolutionary movement to another, we see your struggle for freedom and justice”, they said.
The message, addressed “Dear comrades in Rojava”, draws attention to the similar challenges both regions face: “In our country, the military junta carries out similar acts of terror”. The group highlighted the frequent targeting of schools, hospitals, places of worship, refugee camps and villages by the Myanmar military junta with air strikes and heavy artillery.
The group also expressed their concern over the Turkish government’s actions in North and East Syria, stating that they find the targeting of civilians and civil infrastructure unacceptable.
The message comes amid ongoing struggles against the military dictatorship in Myanmar, which took power in a military coup on 1 February 2021. The KNDF is fighting for a federal Myanmar and has control over certain regions.
The video message also emphasised the need for unity among revolutionary forces worldwide, regardless of race, religion or sex. “The absence of those standing against evil is more terrifying than evil itself”, the KNDF noted, calling for collective action to dismantle “all forms of tyranny”.