January 12, 2022
The Karenni National Progressive Party (KNPP) has called on the international community to create a safe zone which can protect the civilians as the junta troops are carrying out targeted attacks on the civilians in the fighting in Karenni State.
U Aung San Myint, Secretary-2 of the KNPP said: “Fighting between armed organizations is common. Targeted attacks on the innocent civilians amount to committing genocide and ethnic cleansing. There should be a safe zone for the public. The safe zone is aimed for security and health care of the civilians. It will be a war free zone. I think the international community is required to create such a safe zone.”
In addition to the KNPP-controlled areas in Karenni State, the clashes have spread to urban areas like Loikaw, Demawsoe and Phruso, U Aung San Myint continued.
“The junta troops target civilians in the fighting. The junta troops are conducting indiscriminate attacks on buildings and the people. In addition, the junta troops burn the villages and buildings after the fighting.
Fighting has resulted in civilian casualties as the junta troops are conducting ground and aerial attacks constantly in Karenni State, the KNPP says.
On January 7th, fighting took place between the junta troops and a combined force of the Karenni Nationalities Defence Force (KNDF), the Karenni Army (KA) and local People’s Defence Force (PDF) in Loikaw. Six civilians were killed and three others injured by the junta troops’ shootings.
Sent by the NMG.
