Civilians Killed By Burma Army Jets and Mortars: Over 8,000 Displaced by Fighting in Ler Doh and Hsa Hti Townships, Western Karen State, Burma

Ler Doh and Hsa Hti Townships, Western Karen State, Burma
Fighting continues in Ler Doh and Hsa Hti townships of western Karen State, displacing over 8,315 villagers from more than nine villages in the last two months. The car road between Kyauk Kyi and Shwe Gyin has become a war zone for civilians living in the area. Over the past two months, November in particular, more than 8,000 people have fled their homes to escape bombings, mortars, drones, beatings, abductions, and death by attacking Burma Army jets, artillery, and ground troops. On November 12, local resistance groups captured three Burma Army camps within the area, Baw Ga Hta, Toe Tah Dah and Tha Seik camps. Significant fighting increased as Burma Army reinforcements from Shwe Gyin were intercepted by resistance groups along the car road. Civilians suffered as Burma Army jets, mortars, and drones bombed the country side and soldiers burned house after house. FBR teams in the area report that three civilians have been killed and five injured by Burma Army munitions during October and November. The camps were eventually reclaimed and reinforced by the Burma Army. Burma Army troops spreading from these camps are forcing villagers out of their homes to make room for Burma Army infrastructure such as additional camps and airstrips.

On October 22, Burma Army troops shot and killed Naw Day Nyaw Paw, a 48-year-old woman working at her farm. The troops then looted and burned some of the surrounding structures. Four days later, a Burma Army unit from Na Tha Gwen camp injured two villagers after dropping bombs from a drone. On 2 November, the Burma Army fired mortars into Ta Ray Se Village, killing one man and injuring two others. In Pa Den Gow Village, the Burma Army troops began burning homes; seven were completely destroyed. On 28 November, Burma Army troops from Yin Oh Sein fired mortars into Zaw Wei Village, killing a young father. FBR medics tried to help but were unable to save his life.

Throughout these two months, FBR teams, in conjunction with local community leaders have been delivering what aid they can in the form of food and shelter to those displaced. The fighting continues into December with families digging shelters next to their homes to protect themselves from jet fighter, mortar and drone attacks. Below are photos of the aforementioned events within Ler Doh and Hsa Hti townships in western Karen State, followed by a detailed incident log.