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As many as 4,000 Kachin refugees who are taking refuge in the remote area of Mai Jar Yan area on the Sino-Burma border are now facing severe food shortage problems. The area is under the the control of the Kachin Independent Army 3rd Brigade, but is under heavy attack from the government’s airforce and army. Moon Nay Li, coordinator of…

The Democratic Alliance of Burma (DAB), an opposition alliance group issued a statement condemning the use of jet fighters by the Burmese government in attacks the Kachin, yesterday. The DAB statement said that by increasing its attacks on the Kachin Independent Army will lead to doubt and distrust in any future ceasefire talks between the KIA and the government. The…

Residents in Laiza Town in Kachin State are building bomb shelters in an attempt to stay protect themselves from the Burma military’s bombardment. Laiza Town is headquarters of the Kachin Independent Army and is severely under attack from government troops. Salan Kapa Doi Pisa, an official with the Kachin Independent Organization, said that on the morning of December 28th, between…

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…

Communities attending public meetings across Shan State voiced their despair at ongoing abuses committed by the Burma Army despite the fact that a peace process has been underway for over a year. Various community groups, including the Shan Women’s Action Network (SWAN) have highlighted the concerns of many Shan communities in the midst of instability in Shan State. SWAN members…

Ko Nay Myo Zin, who works to help farmers and rural villagers’ fight for the loss of their farmlands and for their rights, spoke publically in Karen State about the poor living conditions that ethnic people are having to endure. Ko Nay Myo Zin who is a former Burma Army officer and served jail time as a former political prisoner…

The Karen National Union 15th Congress finished with the election of all the organization’s positions voted-in for the next four years administration. Following the election of its five top leaders, together with its Central Standing Committee, the KNU elected General Saw Jonny, the former commander of the Karen National Liberation Army 7th Brigade, as its Army Chief. General Saw Baw…

Brigadier General Saw Jonny, commander of the Karen National Union (KNU) Brigade 7 has been elected as the commander-in-chief of the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA). The KNLA is the armed wing of the KNU. Brig-Gen Saw Baw Kyaw Heh the commander of the KNLA Brigade 5 has been elected as the vice-chief-of-staff (VCS), the second most powerful position in…

Htone Bo villagers are finding it tough to earn a living after being relocated from their village. The villagers were moved to make way for a hydropower dam being built on the Thouk Ye Kat River by the Shwe Energy (Asia World) Company. Villagers claim that the company that is building the dam is now refusing to pay them adequate…

The Karen National Union’s top five positions were elected in a secret ballot at the organisation’s 15th Congress held at Lay Wah, Pa-an District, Karen State, today, 21 December. The five new leaders are – General Mutu Say Poe, chairperson, Naw Zipporah Sein as vice-chairperson, Padoh Saw Kwe Htoo Win is the new general secretary, Padoh Saw Thaw Thi Bwe…