Background Information

The Department of Defense is one of the twelve departments under the Karenni State Interim Executive Council. It is the most recently established department, formed on July 29, 2025. The main objective of the Department of Defense (DOD) is to protect and safeguard the lives and properties of civilians in Karenni State. It also aims to reduce the impacts caused by armed conflicts, respond to attacks, and prevent potential dangers in a timely manner.

Mission

“To protect and safeguard the lives and properties of the people of Karenni State and move towards a peaceful and prosperous Federal Union.”

Objectives

1. To fight for the people
2. To protect the lives and properties of the people
3. To care for and treat both civilians and members of the armed forces with fairness and responsibility
4. To collect, report, and share information in order to provide early warnings of potential dangers

The department was organized into five Sub-Departments to effectively implement its operations.

The five sub departments are as follows:

• Administration and Finance sub-department
• Arms Control and Supervision sub-department
• Military Information and Communication sub-department
• Intelligence sub-department
• Military Ethics Monitoring and Research sub-department

The Department of Defense works together with the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) of the Karenni armed forces to coordinate military operations against the military council within Karenni State and in border areas connected to the state. Its responsibilities include managing military expenditures, coordinating military operations, arranging defensive troop deployments, responding to military operations and threats affecting civilians, providing emergency rescue and protection responses when dangers arise, and collecting and sharing information in order to prevent potential harm to the public caused by armed conflicts. The Department of Defense is committed to justice and the protection of public rights. It works based on fairness toward both civilians and military personnel, while ensuring that public rights are respected and protected. In addition, the department collaborates with community-based organizations and relevant departments to strengthen cooperation with the public and effectively manage security and social impacts.

Structure of the Department