More than 12,000 displaced people have fled the air raids carried out in recent days by the Burmese army, an ethnic rebel faction assured on Saturday, also deploring “many victims” and “the destruction of schools and villages”.
“More than 12,000 civilians have fled causing a serious humanitarian crisis,” said the Karen National Union (KNU), one of the largest armed groups in the country. In response to the bloodbath of security forces against opponents of the February 1 coup, the KNU last week seized a military base in Karen state in the south-east of the country. The army reacted by carrying out air raids between 27 and 30 March, targeting the strongholds of the KNU, the first such attack in 20 years in this region. “Many civilians have died, including children and students. Schools, homes and villages have been destroyed,” the KNU noted.
Myanmar, new accusations for Aung San Suu Kyi. The military announces a one-month ceasefire in minority regions
by Raimondo Bultrini
“We urge all ethnic minorities in the country (…) to act forcefully and to adopt sanctions” against those responsible. Since Burma’s independence in 1948, many ethnic armed factions have been in conflict with the central government for greater autonomy, recognition of their specificity, access to the country’s many natural resources or part of the lucrative drug trade. The army had concluded a ceasefire with some of them in recent years. But after the coup that overthrew the civilian government of Aung San Suu Kyi, many supported the democratic mobilization and threatened to take up arms again against the junta that bloody represses the protest. 550 civilians have been killed by security forces in the past two months, according to the Association for Assistance to Political Prisoners (AAPP).
Myanmar, new accusations for Aung San Suu Kyi. The military announces a one-month ceasefire in minority regions
by Raimondo Bultrini
The toll could be much heavier: more than 2,700 people have been arrested. Held incommunicado, without access to a loved one or a lawyer, many have disappeared. The junta has also blocked Internet access for the vast majority of the population, cutting off mobile data and wireless connections.
Burmese martyrs: “Fallen stars”
by Paolo Brera
The generals ignore international condemnations. The UN Security Council “expressed deep concern at the rapid deterioration of the situation”, condemning the violence “firmly” in a unanimous statement. But China and Russia are categorically against the idea of UN sanctions, unlike the United States and the United Kingdom who have already imposed themselves on their side.
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