November 7, 2024

WEEKLY WRAP-UP

A Karenni Ranger comforts a woman whose eight-year-old daughter was killed by the Burma Army.

Rangers Evacuate and Treat IDPs Amidst Burma Army Attacks

Karenni Rangers evacuated 500 people from the Mine Pya Village area in southern Shan State after Burma military mortars and drone attacks killed one man and an eight-year-old girl. A former Ranger in Karenni State was wounded by a landmine and lost his left leg. Burma military airstrikes in northern Karen State resulted in multiple civilian injuries and deaths, as well as significant property damage.

NORTHERN KAREN STATE

Left: IDPs from Noh Klaw Village hide from violence in the area.

Right: Rangers treat a wounded civilian.

Top: IDPs from Noh Klaw Village hide from violence in the area.

Bottom: Rangers treat a wounded civilian.

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In northern Karen State, Burma military attacks against civilians destroyed a church, school, clinic, and houses from Taw Oo District, Kler Lwe Htoo District, and Mu Traw District.

The Burma Army launched attacks in Mone and Ler Doh townships, damaging homes and injuring a civilian. On 27-28 Oct., the Burma Army attacked the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) in Thay Gay Lu, Noh Klaw and Kaw Tha Say. In Noh Klaw, the Burma Army injured one civilian and damaged some homes, forcing the inhabitants to flee. Burma military airstrikes, drone attacks and 120mm mortars killed a baby, destroyed a school and church, and injured other civilians while Rangers provided medical treatment and a relief activity in Hsaw Htee township.

On Oct. 29 and Nov. 1, the Burma Army used drone strikes to attack Yin Le, Ywa Tha Ya, and Kyun Kone villages, killing a one-year-old baby, injuring two civilians, and destroying a school, clinic, church, and three homes. Rangers provided medical treatment to the victims and offered food assistance at an IDP camp in Wet Tuu, Hsaw Htee Township.

On 30 Oct., a Burma military MIG 29 jet dropped two bombs on Htee Gaw Hta Village, Dwe Low Township, destroying four homes. On 3 Nov., the Burma military launched 120mm mortars into Hpapun, injuring five soldiers and killing another from the Bamar People’s Liberation Army (BPLA). One KNLA soldier was also injured.

On 3 Nov., intense fighting broke out between the Burma Army and resistance forces in Hpapun. The resistance forces killed over a dozen Burma Army troops and captured 17 more.

See the damage caused by Burma military airstrikes

CENTRAL KAREN STATE

Left: A malnourished elderly woman is transported to the hospital by a FBR team.

Right: Two Yak-130 jet fighters dropped bombs on the Noh Ta Kaw Township Office, Dooplaya District.

Top: A malnourished elderly woman is transported to the hospital by a FBR team.

Bottom: Two Yak-130 jet fighters dropped bombs on the Noh Ta Kaw Township Office, Dooplaya District.

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In the past week, the Burma military conducted a series of bombing attacks, utilizing two Yak-130 jets to target a township office in Dooplaya District. Meanwhile, disrupted supply lines have left the Burma Army increasingly dependent on air resupply missions to deliver food and equipment to Ahn Kwin military camp. These actions are part of ongoing military operations amid the worsening humanitarian crisis in Burma.

On 31 Oct. at 13:05, two Yak-130 jet fighters dropped bombs on the Noh Ta Kaw Township Office, Dooplaya District, each releasing two bombs. Although the bombs caused significant damage to the township office and nearby structures, no casualties were reported.

From 29 Oct. to 2 Nov., Burma military Y-12 support planes conducted over six separate supply drops at the Ahn Kwin strategic camp in Winyaw Township, dropping food and military equipment. Some of the supplies that failed to land in the camp were retrieved by the KNLA.

Meanwhile, in Mae Khee Village, Win Ye Township, a 50-year-old woman suffering from malnutrition and stomach issues was transported to a hospital by an FBR team. A 50-year-old man from Mae Khee village was also transported to a hospital on the Thai-Burma border. Doctors diagnosed him with terminal cancer and said treatment would be difficult. On 2 Nov., a FBR team returned him to his home.

Having school in a cave to hide from airstrikes

KARENNI STATE

Left: Former Ranger Day Chit receives treatment at Meh Hong Soung Hospital.

Right: Students from Pekin High School learn how to dress wounds.

Top: Former Ranger Day Chit receives treatment at Meh Hong Soung Hospital.

Bottom: Students from Pekin High School learn how to dress wounds.

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A former Ranger was severely wounded by a landmine in southern Karenni State while in the north, Ranger teams trained school children to respond to airstrikes on their school.

On 29 Oct., Day Chit, a former Ranger, accidentally triggered a landmine placed near Wanplan Burma Army camp, in Bawlake Township. Day Chit has sustained 17 distinct injuries during his service over the years, now including the complete loss of his left leg below the knee. Please pray for his swift recovery and that he can adjust to his new reality of life.

From 28-29 Oct., six Rangers conducted a shelter-in-place and basic first-aid training for 92 primary school students at Pekin High School, Phe Khon Township. Rangers educated students on taking cover from airstrikes, using bandages and tourniquets, and treating minor breaks, concussions, and sprains. Rangers provided 30 wound dressings for the school’s ongoing use.

SOUTHERN SHAN STATE

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Click above to watch a video about the Mine Pyat Village attack.

Karenni Rangers helped evacuate 500 civilians fleeing from a Burma Army offensive and trained resistance forces in lifesaving skills.

On 30 Oct., resistance forces pulled back from Mine Pyat Village, Phekhon Township, due to a lack of ammunition and the advance of a mixed force of 700 Burma Army and Pa-Oh National Army troops. The Burma military attacked Mine Pyat Village with drone bombs and 120mm mortars fired by Light Infantry Battalion 427 from the Phekhon Base, Phekhon Township. A Burma military drone bomb attack hit a Buddhist Monastery near Mine Pyat Village, killing an eight-year-old girl and a man instantly and wounding eight other non-combatants. The Burma military likely specifically targeted the Monastery since drone strikes are frequently used for precision strikes. Karenni Rangers treated the wounded non-combatants and comforted the families of the dead. Our teams were the last anti-junta organization to leave Mine Pyat Village, assisting in the evacuation of approximately 500 civilians leaving the area. Approximately 100 civilians are still trapped in Mine Pyat Village.

From 22 to 29 Oct., Karenni Rangers trained 76 resistance soldiers in the use of combat first aid, land navigation, landmine clearing, repelling, and rope bridges.