October 3, 2024

WEEKLY BURMA SUMMARY

A Ranger treats an IDP in Kaung Par IDP Camp, Lo Pu Daw See Ee Village, Karenni State.

Ranger Teams Provide Aid As Burma Army Attacks

Attacks from the Burma Army and flood conditions continue to force more people from their homes. Rangers look for opportunities to provide aid across the country as the Burma military reinforces defensive positions in Karen State.

NORTHERN KAREN STATE

Left: A resistance soldier injured by a 60mm mortar in Pyaw Lo Kyo.

Right: Damage from a drone attack in Kau Met Thu.

Top: A resistance soldier injured by a 60mm mortar in Pyaw Lo Kyo.

Bottom: Damage from a drone attack in Kau Met Thu.

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Karen Rangers serve Internally Displaced People (IDPs) in Taw Oo District while Burma Army reinforce defensive positions in Kler Lwe Htoo District. Between 23 and 25 Sept., Karen Rangers provided food, relief funds, and encouragement to 416 IDPs living in Tho Luwa public high school, Htaw Ta Hto Township, Taw Oo District. Meanwhile, on Sept. 24, the Burma Army sent 60 soldiers to reinforce Light Infantry Battalions 589, 598, and 350 and Infantry Battalion 57, all stationed along the main road in Shwe Gyin, Hsaw Hti Township, Kler Lwe Htoo District. The Burma Army likely intends to prevent resistance forces from severing key roadways between Nay Pyi Taw and Yangon. The next day, the Burma military conducted two attacks in Kler Lwe Htoo, consisting of a 120mm shelling in Yin Dwein Gon by the 264 Infantry Battalion and a drone bombing in Kau Met Thu. The two attacks damaged three civilian homes. On the same day, the Burma Army used 60mm mortars to shell Pyaw Lo Kyo, Mu Traw District, injuring a resistance soldier.

CENTRAL KAREN STATE

Left: Ranger medics treat a wounded KNLA soldier.

Right: A villager is treated by Ranger medics after being wounded by a Burma Army 155mm howitzer.

Top: Ranger medics treat a wounded KNLA soldier.

Bottom: A villager is treated by Ranger medics after being wounded by a Burma Army 155mm howitzer.

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Burma Army attacks in Win Yae Township have led to tragic civilian casualties and intensified military operations amid escalating tensions between the Burma Army and revolutionary forces. On Sept. 23, the Burma Army fired 155mm howitzers into the area, injuring 32-year-old Saw Kyaw Lay in the thigh while he worked in his yard. He received prompt medical treatment from FBR medics and was transferred to a hospital for further care.

Throughout the week, Burma military aircraft have delivered supplies and conducted airstrikes, notably an attack by a Mi-35 helicopter on Sept. 29 in Noh Chue Nae Village (Ah Nan Kwin Village), Win Yae Township. As tensions escalate, Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) and revolutionary forces are actively attempting to seize control of the Ah Nan Kwin military camp in Win Yae Township, Dooplaya District.

Military operations intensified after Burma Army troops entered the Ah Nan Kwin military camp, Win Yae Township, on Sept. 26 to reinforce the camp. Two days later, Rangers provided assistance to a KNLA front-line soldier injured in a battle with the Burma Army at the same camp, transporting him for additional medical treatment.

Tragically, on Sept. 28, a 13-year-old boy named Mg Pyae Phyo Aung was killed after an unexploded Burma Army 40mm bomb detonated when he struck it with a hammer at a rubber farm in Win Can Village, Kyaikto Township, Doo Tha Htoo District.

KARENNI STATE

Left: Karenni children pose during a GLC.

Right: KNDF soldiers learn how to apply a splint.

Top: Karenni children pose during a GLC.

Bottom: KNDF soldiers learn how to apply a splint.

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Karenni Rangers provided food, funds, supplies, education and encouragement to IDPs, flood victims, and other friendly organizations all over the area. From 15 to 23 Sept., 11 Karenni Rangers trained 240 Karenni National Defense Force (KNDF) recruits in combat first aid and navigation. The Rangers also showed the recruits FBR documentaries, encouraging them to seek inter-ethnic unity and faith in Jesus. On 24 Sept., Rangers conducted a Good Life Club program and medical clinic at Kaung Par IDP Camp, Lo Pu Daw See Ee Village, Demoso Township, serving approximately 200 children and 45 patients. On 25 Sept., Karenni Ranger teams provided a total of 7.6 million Burmese kyat, approximately 3,600 U.S. dollars, to IDPs and the MoeBye Rescue Team (MRT). Karenni Rangers gave restoration funds to the the residents of the Bangkok IDP Camp that was attacked by the Burma military earlier this month. The Karenni Rangers gave MRT the funds to aid flood relief operations in MoeBye Town, Southern Shan State. On 27 and 30 Sept., Karenni Rangers revisited flooding sites along the Pawn River to provide material and food aid to IDPs displaced by the floodwaters. On the 27 Sept. trip, Rangers partnered with the organization Freelance Volunteer Myanmar (FVM) to acquire and deliver the relief supplies. On the way to the flood site, the Rangers and FVM were pursued by a Burma Army soldier in civilian attire, forcing the combined team of aid workers to change routes.

CHIN STATE

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Left: Rangers teaching children about human anatomy during a GLC.

Right: Chin Rangers having fun and playing games with kids during a GLC.

Rangers teaching children about human anatomy during a GLC.

Bottom: Chin Rangers having fun and playing games with kids during a GLC.

Chin Ranger teams conducted a recent relief mission in Falam Township to support new IDPs who had fled fighting with the Burma Army. Over the course of the mission, the team conducted three GLC programs between Aug. 10 and Aug. 13, providing aid to over 450 people of all ages by sharing love and encouragement, giving clothing, teaching health classes, and sharing Bible stories. Our teams encountered 261 new IDPs during the mission. They are facing severe food shortages, rising prices, and lack access to medical care and education. Many IDPs are hiding in forests or makeshift shelters, and the children can’t attend school. Please pray that the hearts of these IDPs would be encouraged and for full access to critical resources.

See more of the GLC programs in Chin State