November 28, 2024

WEEKLY BURMA SUMMARY

Rangers assisting a wounded resistance soldier.

Rangers Provide Medical Care While the Burma Army Continues its Attacks

This week’s reports highlight the ongoing violence and humanitarian challenges across various regions impacted by conflict.

In Kachin State, more than 5,000 villagers fled as the Burma Army launched a large-scale attack. The Burma Army injured 39 civilians, destroyed 68 houses through shelling and bombings, looted 30 houses, and burned 175 houses, resulting in a total of 273 houses destroyed.

The resistance fought to reclaim territory throughout Karen State. While the Burma Army lost territory in the Mu Traw District of Karen State, they also launched numerous attacks, including howitzer strikes targeting IDP areas and schools, causing death and injury among the villagers.

The Rangers continued to provide medical treatment to injured soldiers and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) across Karen State and southern Shan State.

NORTHERN KAREN STATE

Left: A house destroyed by Burma Army howitzer.

Right: A man injured by Burma Army howitzer.

Top: A house destroyed by Burma Army howitzer. 

Bottom: A man injured by Burma Army howitzer.

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This week in northern Karen State, the Burma Army lost territory in Mu Traw District. Meanwhile, in Kler Lwe Htoo District, Burma Army fired howitzers targeting the IDP areas and schools, causing harm to the villagers and the students.

The Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) took over the Burma military Ma Taw camp after intense fighting between the two groups. In Bu Tho Township, Mu Traw District, on Nov. 18, in Lay Aye Sue Village, fighting broke out between the KNLA and 150 troops of Burma Army from Light Infantry Battalions (LIBs) 402 and 403 under Military Operations Command (MOC) 8, leaving one local security dead. On Nov. 21, KNLA (5) attacked the Burma military camp in Ma Taw Village. A Burma Army jet dropped three bombs around Ma Taw camp in Butho Township, Mu Traw District on the same day. KNLA seized Ma Taw camp after the Burma Army retreated. 

In Kler Lwe Htoo District, the Burma military targeted IDP areas, firing howitzers and killing or abducting over 10 civilians. In Mone Township, on Nov. 17, Burma Army LIB 307 fired six howitzers into Ywa Gyi Inn, killing two villagers and harming another three villagers including a 75-year-old man. On Nov. 19, Burma military from Na Tha Gwein, Oh Bin Suu, and Thay Lay Gu entered Noh Gu and fired 51 rounds of 120mm, 81mm, and howitzer munitions into Ta Maw Ma, Ta Ma Kaw, Taung Suu, and Noh Taw Ta. Some 6,451 villagers fled from those areas. On Nov. 20, the Burma Army fired two howitzers at Nge Twe Sok, destroying two houses and harming two IDPs from Thay Gay Lu and Yin Le. Meanwhile, in Wet Tuu IDP site, the Burma Army fired 17 times with howitzers, injuring twos IDP. Karen soldiers and medics gave medical treatment to all the victims. Burma military troops from Kyauk Kyi abducted two civilians from Noh Klaw.

In Ler Doh Township, the Burma military attacked Way Daw Koh School with drones on Nov 19, harming four students. A student with a shoulder injury is being treated at a KarenNational Union (KNU) clinic.

CENTRAL KAREN STATE

Left: Civilian home damaged by Burma Army artillery fire.

Right: Ranger interviewing a local IDP on their situation.

Top: Civilian home damaged by Burma Army artillery fire.

Bottom: Ranger interviewing a local IDP on their situation.

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Fighting raged around Annan Kwin military camp in Dooplaya District as the KNLA and PDF forces clashed with Burma Army to reclaim their territory. Rangers helped treat casualties from the fighting and evacuated IDPs to a hide site.

Between Nov. 18-19, KNLA and PDF forces attacked Burma Army soldiers stationed at Annan Kwin military camp, at Noh Chu Neh Village, and a battle ensued with small arms engagements and drone strikes. Resistance forces have encircled the Burma Army soldiers at Annan Kwin since early August of 2024. The Burma Army responded with airstrikes from combat jets and 155mm howitzer strikes throughout the day, which killed one resistance soldier, injured four other soldiers, and destroyed many buildings in the Christian area of Wong Shan Village. 

After the fighting, the Burma military paradropped 15 supply bundles for their soldiers from Y-12 aircraft. Rangers and the KNLA medical team treated and evacuated four severely injured soldiers. Rangers also helped evacuate civilians who were fleeing the fighting and helped them relocate to a new IDP hide site while providing them with medical treatment.

On Nov. 22, the Burma Army launched airstrikes and 105mm howitzer rounds at Lut Shan and Zee Nha Pin villages, damaging a civilian residence and a rubber farm. The same day, the Burma Army also fired 155mm artillery rounds into Win Htaung Village, damaging a family’s house and rubber plants.

At Matkanal Village, Rangers interviewed the school headmaster who said their school was destroyed by Burma military jets in 2022. Due to further risk of bombings they had to evacuate the teacher and 139 students to a different area. They are able to resume teaching now from kindergarten to 5th grade due to territorial gains KNLA has won back from the Burma Army.

“Education is something that is very important. If we don’t stand for ourselves with this current situation, there will be a lack of education for the next generation. We want our children to have school and study in school, so they will be our future leaders and our strength.”

-Matkanal School Headmaster

 Please pray that the school can fulfill their basic needs to continue education, which includes receiving food, clothing, medical care, and educational resources.

See more on the situation at Annan Kwin Military Camp

SOUTHERN SHAN STATE

Left: Man injured by a mortar strike is treated by FBR medics.

Right: Multiple homes destroyed by the Burma Army’s airstrikes. 

Top: Man injured by a mortar strike is treated by FBR medics.

Bottom: Multiple homes destroyed by the Burma Army’s airstrikes. 

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The Burma Army continues to target IDPs with airstrikes, while Rangers evacuate casualties and deliver support to the wounded. A coalition of democratic forces fought against the Burma Army in southern Shan State.  

On November 18 at about 1120 hours, multiple Burma Army jets dropped four 250lb bombs and two 500lb bombs on the Bangkok IDP camp at La Ei Village in Pekon Township. The attack left one woman dead; she left behind a husband and four children. This attack also left another injured and 13 houses destroyed. Rangers evacuated a Karenni National Defese Force (KNDF) soldier who was wounded by a Burma Army 120mm mortar strike on the west side of Khaung Mai Village on November 18. He was wounded in the right shoulder and left thigh; the Rangers were able to provide first aid during the evacuation and he is expected to recover.

Rangers traveled to Sa Lin Village, PheKhon Township in Shan State on November 18 to meet and support a child who got wounded by a landmine last week. Rangers provided one backpack, one grade 7 textbook, notebooks and other school stationeries for him and his sister. FBR also provided 100,000 kyats as financial support to his aunt, who he is staying with. FBR took the wounded child to a clinic in order to get an X-ray to check for any shrapnel still left in his wounds. 

KACHIN STATE

Left: Aerial imagery of destroyed homes in Seng Tawng after a Burma Army attack.

Right: Satellite imagery analysis showing burned civilian areas in Seng Tawng Village.

Top: Aerial imagery of destroyed homes in Seng Tawng after a Burma Army attack.

Bottom: Satellite imagery analysis showing burned civilian areas in Seng Tawng Village.

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The Burma Army launched a “clearing” offensive against Seng Tawng Village on Sept. 7th, injuring civilians and destroying hundreds of homes.

 

Approximately 700 Burma Army soldiers from IB 116, IB 12, LIB 33, and LIB 385 under the command of LID 33 and No. 30 Police forces attacked Seng Tawng Village on Sept. 7, 2024, in Hpakant Township. The Burma Army launched bombings and artillery strikes against the village in conjunction with a ground attack to loot and burn the village. The Burma Army injured 39 civilians, destroyed 68 houses by shelling and bombings, looted 30 houses, and burned 175 houses, leaving 273 houses destroyed in total.

More than 5,000 villagers fled to the hide sites at schools, churches, and monasteries near Seng Tawng and continued to live in fear of further attacks. During their first few days, various civil groups provided food and medicine. Near Yuma Village, the villagers were afraid to return because the Burma Army was present at the jade mines and shot at civilians who walked in their vicinity.

Our Ranger teams on the ground captured footage and drone imagery of the destroyed areas. Additionally, activity from NASA FIRMS satellite detection program confirms that there was a large fire anomaly detected. Satellite imagery from Planet Labs confirms there were destroyed civilian homes at Seng Tawng during the month of September, which further corroborates the Ranger field reporting.

Please pray for the IDPs that suffered this devastating loss and that the Burma Army would be held accountable for the mass destruction of civilian life and property.

See more on Burma “Clearing Offensives” in Kachin State

IRAQ

Left: Demoa celebrates her 10th birthday!

​Right: David Eubank carrying Demoa to safety in 2017.

Top: Demoa celebrates her 10th birthday!

Bottom: David Eubank carrying Demoa to safety in 2017. 

A story of survival and strength unfolds as a young girl named Demoa, rescued from the horrors of war in Mosul, defies the odds to embrace a life of hope and resilience, proving that courage can shine even in the darkest moments. Happy 10th birthday Demoa!

In June 2017, during the fierce battles against ISIS in Mosul, the FBR team risked their lives and miraculously rescued a little girl named Demoa. She had been trapped under sniper fire for several days and surrounded by dead bodies, including her mother, and her survival was nothing short of extraordinary. The team was able to rescue her and one other man at the same time.

Now, Demoa is thriving at 10 years old. She’s excelling in school and recently celebrated her 10th birthday surrounded by family and friends – a true testament to courage and healing!

See the story of Demoa being reunited with her family

www.freeburmarangers.org