Burma military use jets and helicopters to bomb Kachin

The Free Burma Rangers humanitarian group has compiled a report and photographs that show “Burma Air Force jets and MI24 attack helicopters attacking the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) northern Burma.”

Tha FBR reports note that the Burma military attacked at 8am on the 29 December. FBR noted that, “Burma Air Force jets attacked KIA positions at Laijayang, 10 kilometers southwest of the town of Laiza in Kachin State.”

The Free Burma Rangers is a humanitarian group that reports on human rights abuses and provides medical support and aid to people internally displaced by the Burma Army.

Free Burma Rangers report that Burma Airforce fighter jets attacked Kachin positions on December 28.

“The Burma Army began a barrage of heavy 120mm mortars against Kachin positions in Lajayang. Later in the day the Burma Army began shelling Nam Sang Yang, 13 kilometers northwest of Laiza. These two towns, now destroyed by Burma Army attacks starting in 2011, are located on the Bhamo- Myitkyina road and guard the access into Laiza, a large town on the Burma China border.”

Laiza is the headquarters of the Kachin Independence Organization (KIO) and its army, the KIA.

FBR said the Burma military used its fighter jets and helicopters to bombard the KIA.

“At 9:20am, two fighter jets strafed the Kachin (KIA) positions in Lajaiyang with machine guns, dropped bombs, and fired rockets. They strafed the Kachin positions 11 times and MI24 helicopter fired rockets at the Kachin positions.”

FBR reported that, “two MI24 helicopters came and shot rockets and machineguns, the guns making two passes. The helicopters left and then came back with three helicopters at 10:10am and they attacked again for 30 minutes.”

Eyewitnesses, including members of the international media said helicopters and jets flew overhead for most of the morning of the 28 December. Unconfirmed reports state that a number of civilians were wounded by mortar fire and a village militia man/farmer killed.

FBR detailed the Burma military attacks.

“During these attacks the Burma Air Force jets and MI24 attack helicopters also bombed, rocketed and strafed Kachin positions at Nam Sang Yang. During these attacks, the Burma Army dropped over 400 rounds of 120mm heavy mortar shells in and around Lajaiyang and Nam Sam Yang.”

FBR said houses were burning following the helicopter gunships attacks and the intense bombardment from the aerial onslaught.

“The use of jet aircraft and attack helicopters to bomb, rocket and strafe the Kachin is now at the highest intensity since the Burma military began its attacks against the Kachin last year,” the FBR reported explained.

The Free Burma Rangers said the number of displaced people has increased after villages were bombed out.

“Over 100,000 Kachin are now displaced, towns and villages have been destroyed and they are in need of security, food, shelter and clothing. Our FBR relief teams in this area are working closely with other relief organizations to help those in need and get the information out.”