June 26th, 2022
The military council is carrying out targeted artillery shelling on the civilians in Nyaunglebin District in No.3 Brigade of the Karen National Union (KNU) almost every day, according to the statement by a local Karen social affairs organization on June 26th.
“The military council is increasing the military activities in the KNU’s No.3 Brigade-controlled territory. The fighting is taking place almost every day. The military is carrying out the firing of heavy shells into Nyaunglebin District for no apparent reason. The artillery shelling has increased the number of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and casualties. During this month, the military fires artillery shells almost every day,” Spokesperson of the Nyaunglebin District Local Karen Social Affairs Organization says.
The military is carrying out targeted oppression of locals as they don’t accept the military’s administration and the KNU’s increased administration. Especially, the military is eyeing Kyaukgyi and Sawhtee Townships under the control of the KNU. The military also restricts the public’s travels, the spokesperson adds.
Due to the artillery shelling, the health conditions of the elderly become worse. Local children have fled to safer places in the school opening season. Locals are facing more livelihood difficulties, according to the statement.
“The military has forced the KNU organizations in more than 120 villages in Kyaukgyi Township to withdraw. Locals are to leave the villages if the KNU fails to withdraw from the villages. The military has threatened to fire shots in the villages if they fail to withdraw. We have got confirmation from some village heads about the military’s threat,” the spokesperson of the local Karen Social Affairs Organization told the KIC.
According to the statement by the KNU on June 24th, the military council forced the people from 15 villages of three village-tracts in Kyaukgyi Township.
A combined force of the Light Infantry Division Nos.20, 124, 439 and 350 of the military council are active in No.3 Brigade territory of the KNU. The commander of the LID No.20 himself threatened local heads, according to the KNU’s statement.
Since January, the military council has been carrying out increased military activities, roadblock, fighting with the KNU and artillery shelling. In addition, the military council is increasing the arrests and tortures of the civilians.
More than 5,000 IDPs who are taking shelter in Kyaukgyi Township are unable to return to their homes, according to locals.
Sent by the KIC.
