Armed militia saluted the Karen State flag as they celebrated the annual Karenni Army Day in Myanmar.

Footage shows a phalanx of soldiers reciting the message of Karenni State Chief of Staff General Bi Htoo at the Karenni National Progressive Party's (KNPP) headquarters in Thale Duso on August 17.

The Karenni Army is the armed wing of the KNPP based in the Karen or Kayah State. They are one of the most active forces battling the country's military junta, which toppled democratically elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi last February - sparking national protests and prolonged guerilla wars.

Since 1957, the Karen army have been clashing with the Tatmadaw - Myanmar's armed forces - to create an independent Karenni state. Violence and tensions between the two parties escalated after the coup in February 2021.