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Jan 02, 2013 (English Version)
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Jan 03, 2013 (English Version)
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Jan 04, 2013 (English Version)
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FBR: Burma Military Air and Ground Attacks against the Kachin ; Situation update of Kachin State as of 3 January 2013
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FBR Report: Burma Military Air and Ground Attacks against the Kachin ; Situation update of Kachin State as of 3 January 2013
3 January, 2013Kachin State31 Dec, 2012 at;12:45 pm the Burma military uses two Fighter jets – shooting machine guns, dropping bombs and using chemical munitions (possibly HC CS – or some form of tear gas/riot agent – we are not sure what it is but have found the containers - earlier June FBR Kachin report– and so far no deaths from this). These attacks are in the La Ja Yang area; Bum Re and north west at Nam San Yang. Air attacks occurred 8 times.
1 Jan,2013 at 10:10 am, one Mi24 Attack Helicopter Shoots rockets, machine guns and drop bombs at Pang Wa area. Pang Wa is north of Laiza in the KIO/KIA first brigade and Fifth Brigade area near the China border.
1 Jan, 2013 at 1:40pm two helicopters shoot rockets, machine guns and drop bombs on the Kachin positions there. At 5pm, two fighter jets shoot machine guns and drop bombs eight times on eight passes.
2 Jan,2013 at 11:45 in La Ja Yang-Laiza-Nam Sang Yang areas, two Burma Airforce fighter jets shoot machine guns and drop bombs three times. On the same day three Mi 24 Attack Helicopters shoot rockets and drop bombs and shoot machine guns four times. At the same time the Burma army shelled civilian homes with 120mm mortars and 105 howitzers. A total of 3 helicopters and 2 jets rocketed and machine-gunned KIO/KIA positions in La Ja Yang (10 km South West of Laiza) and Nam Sang Yang (13 km North West of Laiza). Air attacks started on 14 Dec but have increased in tempo from 23 Dec 2012 through 2 Jan 2013.
3 Jan, 2013. The situation today; No air attacks yet but the Burma Army ground troops are still attacking and are 7 km from Laiza – KIO HQ. As of this report at 3pm 3 January, the Burma military is still attacking.
Grid coordinates of some of the areas the Burma military is attacking near Laiza:
Bum Re(N-24' 45'27.1"E-97'29'28.5"), Nam San(N-24'52'30.9"E-97'29'52.1"), HKa Ya(N-24'46'10.3" E-97'30'36.4"), La Ja Yang(N-24'43'55.5"E-97'29'32.0").
Burma Army units in this area: Divisions 88 and MOC 21
Weapons: 60mm, 81mm and 120mm heavy mortars, 105 howitzers, 84 and 75mm Recoilless rifles, machineguns and small arms, some form of chemical munitions (riot agent?), MI-24 attack helicopters, fighter jets.
Logistical support: Trucks and civilian porters.
God bless you,
the Kachin FBR teams
The Free Burma Rangers (FBR) mission is to provide hope, help and love to internally displaced people inside Burma, regardless of ethnicity or religion. Using a network of indigenous field teams, FBR reports on human rights abuses, casualties and the humanitarian needs of people who are under the oppression of the Burma Army. FBR provides medical, spiritual and educational resources for IDP communities as they struggle to survive Burmese military attacks.
For more information, please visit www.freeburmarangers.org
© 2010 Free Burma Rangers | Contact FBR
To unsubscribe from this email list, please respond to this email with the word REMOVE in the subject line, or send email to mailadmin@freeburmarangers.org.
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Jan 05, 2013 (English Version)
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FBR: Burma Army Opens New Offensive in Pang Wa and Laiza Areas, Using Helicopters and Landmines in Attacks in Kachin State
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FBR Report: Burma Army Opens New Offensive in Pang Wa and Laiza Areas, Using Helicopters and Landmines in Attacks in Kachin State
Kachin State, Burma26 December 2012Note: This report was written in late December 2012, but is being sent now on 6 January 2013. We apologize for the delay.
This report contains a graphic image of an injury from a landmine explosion.
On 13 December 2012, Burma Army troops opened a new offensive against the Kachin in Lajayang village, near Kachin Independence Army (KIA) headquarters in Laiza. Fighting began at 5:00 AM and lasted until 8:00 PM, and then the Burma Army resumed their offensive again on 14 December 2012. Light Infantry Battalion (LIB) 40, Battalions 383 and 384, and Border Guard Forces – a total of 200 Burma Army soldiers – were responsible for these attacks. These attacks became increasingly violent as the offensive stretched on, with helicopters being brought in on 14 December 2012.
- Lajayang has been enduring increasing attacks from the Burma Army since 13 December 2012
- Many homes were destroyed in the Burma Army's new offensive in Lajayang
Since 1 December 2012, the Burma Army has been employing helicopters in their offensives against the KIA. At 10:00 AM, and again at 2:00 PM on 14 December 2012, Burma Army troops used helicopters to launch rockets in their attack upon the KIA. Around 11:00 PM, Burma Army helicopters incorporated the use of both multi-rocket attacks and gunfire in their assault upon KIA troops, and then returned to their base.
Villagers and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in and around Laiza could hear nonstop firing during the offensive.
- Burma Army weapons used in the offensive against the Kachin Independence Army
M-79 shells from the Burma Army offensive
According to sources at the frontline, the Burma Army has been reinforcing its troops near Lajayang village with more weapons, ammunition, and 3 helicopters since fighting erupted on 13 December 2012. The Burma Army has been using their helicopters not only for resupplying their troops, but they have also been used in their attacks against Kachin villages.
Prior to launching its offensive in Lajayang, on 10 and 11 December 2012, the Burma Army used helicopters in an air strike in Lu Pi village, Pangwa Township, near the China-Burma border. LIB 37, 40 and 260, and Border Guard Forces carried out the attacked on Lu Pi. Attacks increased as the hours wore on, with 4 rounds of firing taking place on 10 December, followed by 8 airstrikes on 11 December.
In addition to utilizing airstrikes, the Burma Army has been using landmines on the frontlines in Kachin State. On 9 November 2012 at 1:30 PM, KIA medic Sergeant Shayem Sut Mai, 35 years old, went to the frontlines in Pa Yeh village to provide treatment for KIA soldiers. While tending to patients, he stepped on a landmine planted by Burma Army Infantry Battalion 301, a battalion comprised of 60 soldiers based there. Due to damage caused by the landmine, Sergeant Shayem Sut Mai had to have part of his right foot amputated.
- Sergeant Shayem Sut Mai's foot that was injured by a Burma Army landmine explosion
As 2012 draws to a close, fighting in Kachin State continues.
May God Bless You,
Kachin Free Burma Rangers
Kachin, State Burma
The Free Burma Rangers (FBR) mission is to provide hope, help and love to internally displaced people inside Burma, regardless of ethnicity or religion. Using a network of indigenous field teams, FBR reports on human rights abuses, casualties and the humanitarian needs of people who are under the oppression of the Burma Army. FBR provides medical, spiritual and educational resources for IDP communities as they struggle to survive Burmese military attacks.
For more information, please visit www.freeburmarangers.org
© 2010 Free Burma Rangers | Contact FBR
To unsubscribe from this email list, please respond to this email with the word REMOVE in the subject line, or send email to mailadmin@freeburmarangers.org.
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Jan 07, 2013 (English Version)
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Jan 08, 2012 (English Version)
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Jan 09, 2012 (English Version)
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FBR: A Foundation Tested by War and Change
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FBR Report: A Foundation Tested by War and Change
Karen State, Burma9 January, 2013In some areas of Burma there is a new openness and reforms; however,
where we are in Karen State the Burma Army continues the buildup of
its camps and roads. In Kachin State in northern Burma an offensive
has been going on for more than a year as over 100 Burma Army
battalions pound Kachin villages and positions with mortars and
artillery, with support from attack helicopters and fighter jets. Over
100,000 Kachin people are now displaced and in need of security, food,
shelter and medicine. We are now in the middle of the first mission
for 15 new relief teams here in Karen State.
Start of the Tha Dah Der Run for Relief
Since 1998, we have been coming to the village of Tha Dah Der,
sometimes to launch new teams on missions, sometimes between missions;
we've spent Christmases and New Years' here, celebrating with the
villagers, playing games around bonfires and worshiping in church
together. We first came right after the village had been burned in
1998, and each year after that, through the offensives of 2006 and
2007 where over 4,000 IDPs fled though the village, and in 2008 when
the Burma Army, on the way to attack the village, killed three
villagers who were our friends. The house some of us stay in still has
bullet holes from that attack. We were here through shellings and when
Dah Kaw Toh Baw, a village 20 minutes away, was attacked and burned.
We were here when mortar and machine-gun fire from attacking Burma
Army troops nearby forced families to flee the village to camp in rice
fields out of range, while we stayed with the one family who would not
flee; and we were here when the villagers returned, with students
carrying blackboards and books across the fields on a sunny, blue-sky,
golden-brown day. We came in 2010 in the wake of the Burma Army's
burning of the village and its church, and were here in 2011 to
celebrate the dedication of the new church. Now we are here again;
and it is good, in the midst of a changing Burma, to be standing
together on the foundation built by this shared history of love and
commitment.
Burma Army builds up Maw Pu camp, Karen State, 7 Dec 2012
In Tha Dah Der there are no attacks now but a reconnaissance of the
Maw Pu Burma Army Camp two hours away showed a buildup of the camp.
We observed camouflage zinc roofing being put on new buildings (this
is a major improvement we had not seen before in this camp). There
were also six new solar panels installed, the first time we have seen
these in use here. The estimated 40 troops in the camp are from
Battalion 707 of Military Operations Command (MOC) 4 and as we
observed them they were reinforcing their buildings, putting on the
new roofing, and moving about their improved bunkers. Here, as in
other camps in Karen State, the Burma Army seems to be using the
ceasefire negotiations to build up rather than remove their front-line
camps.
FBR team sings during Tha Dah Der church service
On Sunday we had worship with the people at the rebuilt Tha Dah Der
church. We heard three different testimonies that moved many of us to
tears, as well as many songs. At the end of the service over 30
people came forward to receive Christ and most of these were from the
Buddhist Mon and Plo Karen teams. The Mon team leader – a tough
soldier – said, "When I walked into the door of the church, I felt a
great presence and my heart was filled with love all the time I was
there. At the end I went forward in response to this presence and to
know God better."
Also during the service, Nay Kaw, a long-haired, very athletic soldier
and FBR team leader – who was the first Doo Tha Htu District FBR team
leader and is also a classical Karen mandolin player who sings the
ancient poems – performed a song he had written about the destruction
of Tha Dah Der and its church, the rebuilding, the unity, the love and
now the reunion. He is an animist and before he performed he asked
for understanding and permission to play in the church. As he sang we
were all carried by the melody and power of his words and God's
presence seemed to fill our hearts. Nay Kaw too came forward at the
end of the service to receive the Lord and prayed again later to
confirm that. Our family is growing and what cool additions!
This year the teams included members from Karen, Plo Karen, Karenni,
Lahu, Mon, and Naga areas of Burma and the next day at the GLC program
they all introduced themselves to the children, who came from seven
villages to participate. After introductions and in front of the
crowd, we recognized some of the long relationships we have here by
awarding medals to those who have consistently helped FBR and the
people of this area over many years, through attacks and in danger,
those who have helped their people not just survive but thrive. The
program then moved into full swing, with singing, dancing, and dramas,
and tea and snacks provided to everyone at the break while medics
treated patients, and reporters interviewed people to learn the
situation in the area.
Teams treat patients during GLC program
Karen, Karenni, Lahu, Mon and Naga singing at GLC program
Junior rangers learn navigation
New this year is the Junior Ranger program, designed to inspire young
people to become servant leaders and also give them a practical skill
they can use to help their community. Young people in 5th grade and
higher separated from the younger kids and FBR teams gave them a
30-minute leadership training and then they were given the chance to
choose one from among three ranger skills to learn more about:
reporting and camera use, map and compass navigation, and medicine.
The ranger instructors were surrounded by eager students taking notes
as they learned how to use a compass, or how to make rehydration fluid
and take care of a wound. The rangers were also excited to share the
skills they had finished studying only days before.
The program ended with song and happy shouting and the students began
the treks back to their villages. For us, it had been a good three
days, of worship, and fun and singing, and spending time with new and
old friends in a beautiful place. As everyone left after the GLC
program, we gathered the teams to make plans for the future, for the
rest of the mission. Just so, people all over Burma and here in
Karen State too are now looking to the future – with a new hope but
also tempered with caution. We don't know what it holds; but, being
here, we do know that the joy of these friendships, the commitment of
shared history, and the depth of these relationships help make a solid
foundation upon which the future is being built. Thank you for being
part of this foundation of faith, love and service. We are grateful
for all of you who help.
God bless you,
The Free Burma Rangers
FBR medic works on a patient’s tooth in the field
The Free Burma Rangers (FBR) mission is to provide hope, help and love to internally displaced people inside Burma, regardless of ethnicity or religion. Using a network of indigenous field teams, FBR reports on human rights abuses, casualties and the humanitarian needs of people who are under the oppression of the Burma Army. FBR provides medical, spiritual and educational resources for IDP communities as they struggle to survive Burmese military attacks.
For more information, please visit www.freeburmarangers.org
© 2010 Free Burma Rangers | Contact FBR
To unsubscribe from this email list, please respond to this email with the word REMOVE in the subject line, or send email to mailadmin@freeburmarangers.org.
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Jan 10, 2012 (English Version)
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Jan 11, 2013 (English Version)
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Drug-resistant malaria in Thailand threatens deadly global ’nightmare’
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January 12, 2013 (English Version)
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FBR: Burma Army Jet Fighters and Helicopters Support Continued Ground Assaults in Kachin State, Killing and Injuring Civilians
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FBR Report: Burma Army Jet Fighters and Helicopters Support Continued Ground Assaults in Kachin State, Killing and Injuring Civilians
Kachin State, Burma11 January 2013
Map showing area of report
For the past month, the Burma Army has been consistently employing the use
of helicopters in an increasingly violent campaign against the Kachin. New offensives
have opened in Lajayang, Pang Wa, and Nam San Yang. As of now, the total number
of deaths and injuries that the Kachin have sustained are not known, but the
airstrikes have devastated many villages.
Most recently, attacks have occurred in Hpum Pyen Bum, a KIA camp in Ba Maw
District, Daw Hpung Yang Township (Located at: N 24° 41' 40.1" E 97° 28' 59.4").
300 Burma Army soldiers from Divisions 88 and 101 began attacking the camp with
mortar fire at 4:00 AM on 7 January 2013 and took over the camp on 8 January
2013 at 4:30 PM. Three Mi24 helicopters and 4 fixed-wing aircraft supported
the operation with direct fire. KIA troops retreated when the air strikes began,
and are maintaining a nearby position. From Hpum Pyen Bum, the Burma Army have
a view of Laiza and the surrounding area. On 9 January 2013 around 8:00 PM the
Burma Army shot four mortar rounds impacting within 4-5 km of Laiza.
On 6 January 2013, the Burma Army attacked Nam San Yang village, where there
is no KIA presence. KIA troops near the area estimate that approximately 300
Burma Army troops came to the village, and burned many homes.
The number of people who have been injured because of these attacks is unknown,
but sources on the ground recently reported news of a fatality and several injuries
sustained during an air strike. On 27 December 2012, at 10:30 AM, the Burma
Army used heavy artillery 105 mm Howitzer to fire upon Kachin civilians near
Laiza. Many villagers were working in a watermelon plantation when the firing
took place, and a 50-year-old woman named Magi Tu Ja was injured, and later
died from the injuries she sustained from the attack.
Three other villagers are known to have sustained injuries as a result of this
attack. Kai Ling, 20 years old, was injured on the right side of his waist.
Ma Roi, 50 years old, sustained injuries on his left side. Htoi Ma Seng, 53
years old, suffered damage to one of his legs. All were sent to Laiza hospital
to receive medical treatment for their wounds.
On 28 December 2012 the Burma Army used 3 helicopters in an attack near Laiza.
While dropping bombs and rockets upon villages in the area, the Burma Army destroyed
the bridge that connects Myint Gyi Nah, Ba Maw and Laiza. This has crippled
the transportation for locals. However, the Burma Army is not taking responsibility
for the destruction of this bridge, alleging that the KIA (Kachin Independence
Army) is responsible for the destruction of the bridge.
Attacks continue on a daily basis, creating an increasingly dangerous and hostile
environment for all local people, as the Burma Army does not discriminate between
firing upon KIA bases or civilian villages.
Fighting between the Burma Army and the KIA is now taking place in every district
within Kachin State, with the heaviest fighting concentrated in and around Laiza.
There are roughly 2000 Burma Army soldiers in the area, comprised of 11 different
battalions from Division 88 and MOC (Military Operation Command) 21, TOC (Tactical
Operation Command) 1. The units are as follows: LIB (Light Infantry Battalion)
315, 316, 217, 318, 415, 307, 309, 320, 389, IB (Infantry Battalion) 237 and
74.
May God Bless You,
Kachin Free Burma Rangers
The Free Burma Rangers (FBR) mission is to provide hope, help and love to internally displaced people inside Burma, regardless of ethnicity or religion. Using a network of indigenous field teams, FBR reports on human rights abuses, casualties and the humanitarian needs of people who are under the oppression of the Burma Army. FBR provides medical, spiritual and educational resources for IDP communities as they struggle to survive Burmese military attacks.
For more information, please visit www.freeburmarangers.org
© 2010 Free Burma Rangers | Contact FBR
To unsubscribe from this email list, please respond to this email with the word REMOVE in the subject line, or send email to mailadmin@freeburmarangers.org.
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Jan 14, 2013 (English Version)
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[Altsean-Burma] Online survey: Give us your feedback and win a voucher
Dear Friends,
Altsean-Burma wishes to thank you for your continued support for our mission to promote human rights and democracy in Burma.
In order to provide you with more useful material and information, we would sincerely appreciate if you could take two minutes to answer the short survey here.
Upon completion of the survey you will automatically be entered into a draw to win one of five US$30 Amazon gift vouchers. The survey will be available until 15 February 2013. Winners of the gift vouchers will be notified by email on 15 February 2013.
Please be assured that your participation is kept confidential. Thank you.
In solidarity,
Altsean-Burma
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Jan 15, 2013 (English Version)
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