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Burma, Kachin Independence Army (25 images)

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  • Cadets of the Kachin Independence Army's (KIA) Officer Training School pauses on a march through jungle foliage during manoeuvre exercise. Cadets are chosen from recruits who have studied to university level and are given two years of training before graduation.
  • New recruits to the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) sit in ranks during basic training at Fort Warabum, Kachin State. In 2009 the KIA introduced a voluntary National Service with a two-year minimum commitment to attract recruits.
  • Kachin Independence Army (KIA) Pvt Maran Naw Tawng, 21, walks on a path between mountain outposts in an area not far from Burmese Army forces.
  • Simple defences of sharpened bamboo fortify the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) mountain outposts positioned opposite mountains with similarly constructed Burmese Army camps. The KIA acknowledges that land mines are used strategically and local villages are warned of dangerous routes.
  • Cpl Shadon La Ja, 26 (front), and Pvt La Ring, 22, of the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) stand atop defences at a mountain outpost of Laisin, Kachin State opposite Burmese Army forces.
  • Soldiers of the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) stand atop defences at a mountain outpost of Laisin, Kachin State.
  • Kachin Independence Army (KIA) 2Lt Thaung Lui, 28, checks ammunition for a heavy machine gun set up at a mountain outpost of Laisin, Kachin State opposite Burmese Army forces.
  • A heavy machine gun loaded with large calibre ammunition is set up at a mountain outpost of Laisin, Kachin State opposite Burmese Army forces.
  • Sitting in a remote studio, an intelligence officer of the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) watches the KIA's Vice Chief of Staff, Brig-Gen Gun Maw deliver a refusal to join the Burmese Army's Border Guard Force (BGF) initiative at a public press conference in Laiza, Kachin State. The Burmese military junta made an ultimatum in 2009, extended to April 28, 2010, that ceasefire groups must become part of a BGF under Burmese Army control ahead of 2010 elections. The KIA is the military arm of the Kachin Independence Organization (KIO) established on February 5, 1961. Originally fighting for independence, the KIO has since modified its goal to autonomous rule within a federal union of Burma. A ceasefire agreement between the KIA and the Burmese military signed in 1994 put the conflict on hold without addressing its root causes.
  • Soldiers of the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) prepare food in the simple bamboo hut that serves as their kitchen at their fortified mountain outpost.
  • Kachin Independence Army (KIA) Pvt Maran Naw Tawng, 21, reclines on a bed in a bamboo hut at a KIA outpost in the mountains of the Kachin State.
  • A Kachin Independence Army (KIA) wireless operator uses a transmitter in his bunker at an outpost in the Kachin mountains.
  • A tutor of wireless operators in-training of the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) taps streams of Morse code for the students to decipher during a four-month intensive course at Alen Bum, the KIA HQ in Laiza.
  • Wireless operators in-training of the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) decipher streams of Morse code during a four-month intensive course at Alen Bum, the KIA HQ in Laiza.
  • Lt Col Tawng La, 46, is the commander of the Kachin Independence Army's (KIA) 3rd Brigade and member of the Kachin Independence Organisation's (KIO) Central Committee. Lt Col Tawng La graduated from Mandalay University. The KIA is the military arm of the KIO, which was established on February 5, 1961. Originally fighting for independence, the KIO has since modified its goal to autonomous rule within a federal union of Burma. A ceasefire agreement between the KIA and the Burmese military signed in 1994 put the conflict on hold without addressing its root causes.
  • Cadets at the Officer Training School of the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) stand at attention at their classroom desks. Cadets are chosen from recruits who have studied to university level and are given two years of training before graduation.
  • New recruits to the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) return to their barracks during a brief break from basic training at Fort Warabum, Kachin State. In 2009 the KIA introduced a voluntary National Service with a two-year minimum commitment to attract recruits.
  • Recruits to the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) Village Defence Force (VDF) take a brake from their abbreviated one-month basic training. The VDF acts as the KIA reserve force. Vigorous recruitment and back-to-back basic training sessions for VDF have rapidly increased KIA numbers since 2009.
  • Soldiers of the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) walk past a crucifix that stands on the peak of Fort Warabum, Kachin State. Christianity was introduced to animist Kachin by foreign missionaries since the British colonial era, becoming their predominant religion.
  • New recruits to the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) sit in a classroom for a lecture during basic training at Fort Warabum, Kachin State. In 2009 the KIA introduced a voluntary National Service with a two-year minimum commitment to attract recruits.
  • A new recruit to the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) practises concealment during basic training at Fort Warabum, Kachin State. In 2009 the KIA introduced a voluntary National Service with a two-year minimum commitment to attract recruits.
  • New recruits to the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) form ranks during basic training at Fort Warabum, Kachin State. In 2009 the KIA introduced a voluntary National Service with a two-year minimum commitment to attract recruits.
  • New recruits to the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) run the assault course during basic training at Fort Warabum, Kachin State. In 2009 the KIA introduced a voluntary National Service with a two-year minimum commitment to attract recruits.
  • New recruits to the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) run the assault course during basic training at Fort Warabum, Kachin State. In 2009 the KIA introduced a voluntary National Service with a two-year minimum commitment to attract recruits.
  • Recruits to the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) Village Defence Force (VDF) drill with assault rifles during their abbreviated one-month basic training. The VDF acts as the KIA reserve force. Vigorous recruitment and back-to-back basic training sessions for VDF have rapidly increased KIA numbers since 2009.