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Despite President Thein Sein’s public declared order for the Burma Army to stop fighting the Kachin Army, reinforcements were sent to the battle zones by military helicopters and the offensive continues. Lan Nan, a senior spokesperson for the KIA said. “Fighting continues in our Brigade 3 area of Momauk. They [Burma Army] sent three loads of soldiers by helicopter from…

A humanitarian network comprised of 11 groups from Mandalay delivered humanitarian assistances to children and refugees affected by the ongoing fighting in Kachin State. Ko Ye Yint Kyaw, a member of the humanitarian network – “Children’s Lover Network Group” – explained to Karen News that the network, led by a senior monk, have been giving aid to displaced camps located…

The Karen National Union and the Pa’an Town-based Karen Peace Committee met on the Thai Burma border in early December to discuss recent ceasefire discussions held between the KNU and government officials. KNU representatives, led by general secretary Naw Zipporah Sein, met with three KPC members for more than three hours. KNU Forestry Minister, Padoh Saw Ah Toe said the…

A report from the Karen Human Rights Group accuses the Burma Army of attacks and threats of violence against civilians in eastern Burma. The KHRG report indicates that Burma’s civilian administration has done nothing to protect innocent people in Eastern Burma. The report also says that conflict has intensified in Karen State as the Tatmadaw [Burma Army] comes into conflict…

The Phan Foundation has officially announced their acceptance of nominees for the 4th year of Padoh Mahn Sha Young Leader Award until the cut-off on January 31, 2012. The Padoh Mahn Sha Young Leader Award is given annually to Karen community workers who work in health, education, social or cultural areas. According to the Foundation criteria, nominees should be Karen…

Aid workers are concerned the numbers of refugees fleeing from the conflict between the Burma Army and the Kachin Independent Army is increasing. The number of villagers now internally displaced has jumped from 30,000 to 35,000 as fighting continues. The KIA estimates that there has been 62 major clashes happened so far this month. The KIA say against this backdrop…

The Karenni National Progressive Party has urged Japan’s government to reconsider its involvement in the No.2 Lawpita Hydro-power plant in Karenni State under the Oversea Development Assistance program. Ku Oo Rei, secretary for the Karenni National Progressive Party, blamed Burma’s government for force relocation, human and animal landmine causalities and a lack of compensation for villagers who lose their land…

A bomb explosion near Manban village in Kutkai Township, Northern Shan State, killed at least three Burma Army soldiers and wounded four. According to a local eyewitness – a captain, a second lieutenant, and a corporal from the Burma Army’s Light Infantry Battalion 522 and 507 were killed in at least two huge explosions near Lashio Township. “The bomb exploded…

The United National Federal Council claim in a statement released this week that President Thein Sein’s peace offer to ethnic armed groups is only an attempt to break up the unity of the UNFC. Naing Han Tha, general secretary of the UNFC said that the government peace offer is to divide ethnic alliance and it won’t lead anywhere. “They [Burma…

Thousands of well-wishers turned up at the Children Development Center, a migrant school based in the border town of Mae Sot to celebrated Dr. Cynthia Maung’s 52nd birthday on the 6th December. Dr Cynthia founded the Mae Tao Clinic in 1989 to treat refugees and migrant workers from Burma. The Clinic is located in the Thai-Burma border town of Mae…