Urgent release on the Humanitarian situation in Northern Shan State

Joint Strategy Team (JST) | May 14, 2018

The Joint Strategy Team (JST) for Humanitarian Response in Kachin and Northern Shan States would like to express our deepest concern over the recent fighting between the Government Armed Forces (Tatmadaw) and the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA), near the trading gate of Myanmar and China boarder, Muse Town on 12 May. JST received information that a total of 19 people got killed and over 20 people injured during this attack. Civilians are reportedly killed however JST could not independently verify the exact number of civilian casualties since several members of security forces and local militia personnel are reportedly among the dead.

Under such circumstances, which threaten civilians’ lives and security, the Joint Strategy Team would like to ask both warring parties as follow:

We urge to guarantee that all parties implement a complete and immediate cessation of any military actions and hostilities.

We firmly demand that all warring parties to fully respect of civilian protection and abide by International Humanitarian law and Human Rights law. All parties to the conflict should respect the rights of civilians and observe the principles that distinguish between civilians and combatants, and take precaution to avoid civilian casualties in the case of military offensive. All kinds of attacks against civilian targets should be stopped immediately.

We urge that the protection, safety and security of the civilians in general must be the top priority.

JST is committed to continue providing protection to those affected by the consequences of the war and are requesting urgent action to support for the safety and protection of the civilians.

The Joint Strategy Team

Contacts: Gum Sha Awng (Mr.) at gum.sha.awng@metta-myan mar.org Mobile: +95 95192913

Joint Strategy Team – Bridging Rural Integrated Development and Grassroot Empowerment (BRIDGE), Kachin Baptist Convention (KBC), Kachin Relief and Development Committee (KROC), Kachin Women Association (KWA), Kachin Development Group (KDG), Karuna Mission Social Solidarity (KMSS), Metta Development Foundation (Metta), Nyein (Shalom) Foundation and Wunpawng Ninghtoi (WPN).