Hundreds of Kachin people have fled to the Sino-Burmese border by Laiza and Majayang villages fearing that the current Kachin State conflict will escalate further as three military ships arrived in Bhamo Township, northern Burma.
Around 2,000 residents from at least seven villages in Bhamo Township have fled since mid-July, after three ships carrying plain clothes men were spotted approaching the settlement. Local people are worried that fighting between government troops and ethnic armed group the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) will intensify, said relief worker Mai Ja.
La Nan, joint-secretary of the KIA’s political wing the Kachin Independence Organization (KIO), said that the Burmese authorities ordered villagers from some 1,000 households in Kala Yang, Kazue and Tapant villages to flee their homes by July 25.
He also said that the KIO is worried that the government might launch a full-scale offensive against the KIA base in Laiza, northern Burma.
Residents of Bhamo Township dare not remain in their villages any longer and have joined more than 16,000 refugees on the Sino-Burmese border. Aid groups in Laiza estimate the number of refugees may now have reached 20,000.
Last week, the KIO said that more Burmese Army trucks and military river vessels were headed toward its bases following rumors that government troops would attack the KIO’s headquarters in Laiza.
On the night of July 21, Burmese government troops from Infantry Battalion 142 fired 20 mortars, including 81 mm shells, at the KIA’s Battalion 24 which operates under Brigade 5.
La Nan also said that the government sent a letter to the KIA on July 23 suggesting a ceasefire in Kachin State, but not in all ethnic regions. The KIA recently called for ceasefire talks which involved representatives of all ethnic armed groups.
“It seems [the government] has moved away from our proposed aim of a nationwide ceasefire agreement. They want to make peace in Kachin State first and think about ceasefires in other parts of other ethnic regions later,” said La Nan.
Humanitarian groups have also said that aid supplies are needed for the growing refugee crisis on the Sino-Burmese border.
“Food is not sufficient for refugees now. We haven't receive aid from international aid agencies. Only local religious community groups currently contribute aid to the refugees,” said Mai Ja.
In early July, local humanitarian groups and relief agencies appealed to international aid groups regarding the rising need for emergency food, shelter and medical care, as well as schooling for children on the Sino-Burmese border.
From Irrawaddy News Agency
Around 2,000 residents from at least seven villages in Bhamo Township have fled since mid-July, after three ships carrying plain clothes men were spotted approaching the settlement. Local people are worried that fighting between government troops and ethnic armed group the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) will intensify, said relief worker Mai Ja.
La Nan, joint-secretary of the KIA’s political wing the Kachin Independence Organization (KIO), said that the Burmese authorities ordered villagers from some 1,000 households in Kala Yang, Kazue and Tapant villages to flee their homes by July 25.
He also said that the KIO is worried that the government might launch a full-scale offensive against the KIA base in Laiza, northern Burma.
Residents of Bhamo Township dare not remain in their villages any longer and have joined more than 16,000 refugees on the Sino-Burmese border. Aid groups in Laiza estimate the number of refugees may now have reached 20,000.
Last week, the KIO said that more Burmese Army trucks and military river vessels were headed toward its bases following rumors that government troops would attack the KIO’s headquarters in Laiza.
On the night of July 21, Burmese government troops from Infantry Battalion 142 fired 20 mortars, including 81 mm shells, at the KIA’s Battalion 24 which operates under Brigade 5.
La Nan also said that the government sent a letter to the KIA on July 23 suggesting a ceasefire in Kachin State, but not in all ethnic regions. The KIA recently called for ceasefire talks which involved representatives of all ethnic armed groups.
“It seems [the government] has moved away from our proposed aim of a nationwide ceasefire agreement. They want to make peace in Kachin State first and think about ceasefires in other parts of other ethnic regions later,” said La Nan.
Humanitarian groups have also said that aid supplies are needed for the growing refugee crisis on the Sino-Burmese border.
“Food is not sufficient for refugees now. We haven't receive aid from international aid agencies. Only local religious community groups currently contribute aid to the refugees,” said Mai Ja.
In early July, local humanitarian groups and relief agencies appealed to international aid groups regarding the rising need for emergency food, shelter and medical care, as well as schooling for children on the Sino-Burmese border.
From Irrawaddy News Agency
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