Increased Burma Army Attacks In Muthraw District Force Karen to Resist

Free Burma Rangers (FBR)| May 14, 2018

Karen State, Burma

The situation in Muthraw District, Northern Karen State is deteriorating due to Burma Army violations of the National Ceasefire Agreement (NCA).

A Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) commander announced on the 11th of May that his soldiers would engage any Burma troops outside NCA areas operating within his zone of control. The announcement came after an increase in military engagements last week from 8-11 May.

Firefights occurred between the KNLA and Burma troops at Paw Na Day in the Ta May Kee area; Baw Taw Kyo in the Ler Mu Plaw area; and at Doo Aw Hsaw Day in the Ta May Kee area on the morning of May 8th.

On the same day at 14:21 the Burma Army fired nine mortars into Show Ber Ko Village from their camp at Htaw Mo Plae.

Further clashes followed on the 10th when KNLA engaged Burma Army soldiers in two separate incidents at Doo Aw Hsaw Day in Ta May Kee area and at Htee Si Klo in Ler Mu Plaw area.

Burma Army soldiers took positions on the 11th in the Ler Mu Ko and Show Ber Ko areas. Villagers in the area reported Burma soldiers stole livestock from them.

At 19:20 on the 11th, fighting took place between the KNLA and Burma troops at Ler Mu Kaw Hte, Ler Mu Plaw area. The Burma Army fired 18 mortar rounds around the village rice field, followed by a further five rounds at 20:10.

The KNLA report they observed 10 wounded Burma Army soldiers being evacuated from the area to their bases at Bu Hsa Kee and Paw Kay Ko as a result of the fighting.

The KNLA also said the Burma Army has two bulldozers and a truck carrying fuel in the Kay Bu area, which started ‘road-building’ on the 10th in the Ta May Kee area. Progress has been slowed by mechanical problems and the rains.

The Burma Army has set up a new position at Pa Na Law Gay Kyo, Show Ber Ko area, which has a bulldozer, though road construction has not begun yet.

Burma Army units in Muthraw District under the command of Military Operations Command (MOC) 20 – Tactical Operations Command (TOC) 1 will replace MOC 13 once the road is finished.  Both MOC 20 and 13 will remain in Kay Bu area until then.

Burma Army units in the Kay Bu area under the command of MOC 13 – TOC 1 are Light Infantry Battalions (LIB) 432, 555, 556 and 585.  Units in the area from MOC 20 – TOC 1 are LIB 593 and 594.

This report is an addendum to FBR’s report ‘A Killing in Karen State’ about the murder of Saw O Moo, a Karen activist and aid worker, and FBR’s recent mission to investigate his death and the Burma Army’s renewed aggression.