Ongoing conflict in Three Pagodas area and recommendations for civilian protection

On November 8th a day after Burma’s election, fighting erupted between DKBA Brigade 5 and Burmese army forces in the of Myawaddy, adjacent to the Thai town of . The next morning at around 10:45 am, DKBA forces south of Myawaddy based in (TPP), previously serving as units of a government administered border guard force (BGF), engaged Burmese army Light Infantry Battalions (LIB) No. 284 and No. 405. This unexpected eruption of violence sent thousands of residents fleeing from the densely populated town of TPP across official, and later unofficial, border crossings to . The following points compiled by the Human Rights Foundation of Monland (HURFOM) detail the impact of this fighting on local civilian communities, the protection situation that has resulted, indications that fighting will continue or increase, and recommendations that would best implement humanitarian protection goals for current and future refuges in the TPP area.

Opening Conflict based Thai side who were border named Hoak Pan not able to return to their Rai (“6000 Rai Plantation” • Fighting began on homes to help their 6000 rai is approximately November 9th at 10:45 am families. 2,308 acres). Refugees and lasted until November • According to a New Mon crossed into this 10th in and around Three State Party (NMSP) official plantation and took shelter Pagodas Pass town. from the TPP area, there because they could • In these first three days refugees initially fled from not cross at the TPP fighting occurred between TPP Burma side, and Palai Thai/Burmese checkpoint Burmese Light Infantry Japan, Goboun, Tom Tha of Nam Pakeit. Battalions (LIB) No. 284 Poua. • Refugees remained in and No. 405 (120 soldiers • On November 10th, Thailand 2 to 2.5 days total), and the Democratic HURFOM confirmed that later. Karen Buddhist Army there were 20,000 • Nearly 80% of those (DKBA) Battalion No. 907 refugees located on Thai located on Thai side were and part of Battalion NO. soil and in NMSP sent back. Refugees in 906 (60 to 70 soldiers controlled territory. NMSP areas were not total) • Of these 20,000 refugees, forced back, but left out of • Initially HURFOM believed 60% were located on Thai concern for their homes in there were 4000 to 6000 soil. The majority of the TPP. refugees from TPP Burma refugees that entered side to Thai side; at least Thailand took shelter in a 3000 were form 3 factories rubber plantation on the Casualties and Injured morning, but no food or battalions plus 2 original water was available. battalions. • HURFOM can only confirm • Currently HURFOM • DKBA forces in TPP have 7 injuries and 3 deaths. estimates 500 to 600 reportedly been reinforced One death was a 9 year old refugees are still located from DKBA Brigade No. 5 girl killed by shrapnel from on Thai Soil. soldiers near Myawaddy. a mortar shell, while the • On November 13th Total DKBA forces are other two were monks HURFOM documented estimated to be around who were hit by a stray families still located in 260‐370 soldiers. mortar in a group fleeing Hoak Pan Rai plantation • DKBA Battalions 907 and TPP, on Thai soil. who could not return due 906 were originally Support to continued fighting operating in TPP as BGF where their homes were units. On November 8th, • The vast majority of located in northwestern TPP residents report they people that fled to part of TPP Township. pulled of their patches Thailand brought only the • Thaw Chaw Daw (Thai before engaging SPDC clothes they were wearing, Border Guard Police) have forces the next day. and one small bag or been responsible for the • On November 16th, Aie Ko belonging carried on their repeated efforts to move Ko, the commander of the head. refugees back over the Burmese joint battalions • 80% did not bring food or border in to Burma. around TPP (that includes water. BGF units) ordered the Continued Conflict • Refugees ended up unable remaining BGF unit, the Karen Peace Force (KPF) to return to their homes • HURFOM strongly believes for 2 to 3 days. the conflict and possibility Brigade No. 3, to turn their • Accounts reported to of a further influx of weapons over to the SPDC. HURFOM’s field reporters refugees is not over. TPP bases 60 KPF soldiers. Fighting now continues in on Thai soil indicate that • Burmese forces have been • refuges did not feel that reinforced with 7 Chaung Zone village, Three enough food or water was battalions: LIBs No. 409, Pagodas Pass Township. available to support the No.410, and No. 405 are Chaung Zone village is numbers of people that stationed along the Sa Mi located 8 to 10 miles from had crossed into Thailand. river near Tha Dein village. the western part of TPP • On November 9th, LIBs No. 284, No.270, town. 3000 people live n HURFOM staff interviewed No.588, and No.106 have the village which is located refugees on Thai soil who also been moved to the along Zemi River, a major described making repeated area. rainy season travel route attempts to receive • This is the largest troop and it is a significant supplies but failed both build up by the Burmese transportation and times. When they first fled State Peace and business hub due to the in the evening they went to Development Council presence of many boat get food and water, but (SPDC) in the last 5 years. stands that go to distribution of supplies Total Burmese troop Kyainnseikyi Township. had stopped at nighttime. strength is now around • Already men have fled to They tried again in the 1120 soldiers from the 7 plantations and jungle areas to avoid fighting and the possibility of forced • On November 13th and NMSP soldiers until they portering. 14th 40 men were seized were pulled out after • Burmese reinforcements by LIB No. 284 in Tha Dain tensions rose over the are now operating in village to sever as porters NMSP refusing to reform previous NMSP controlled cover against attack. its armed wing, the Mon areas, specifically in Tha • Tha Dain village, located National Liberation Army Dain village. 13 miles northwest of TPP (MNLA), into a BGF. town, used to garrison

Recommendations

• HURFOM asks that the UNHCR work closely with the RTG to develop a semi‐temporary location which can be easily and quickly accessed by refuges fleeing from the possibly of sudden resurgence of violence in TPP. The threat to refugees comes form many being spread out over a large areas and in hiding, due to concerns for their safety and that of being sent back into a dangerous situation. • HURFOM hopes that a facility can be set that will provide food, water, basic shelter and medical treatment to refugees at consistent hours to insure that refugees who may during late hours may receive support as soon as they arrive.

• Work with the RTG to ensure that groups whose homes are still the sight of fighting or the threat of other abuses such as forced portering, are allowed to remain on Thai soil, and continue to be supported with needed supplies. • Assist other border based NGOs (TBBC, MSF, etc.) and local CBOs (Mon Relief and Development Committee –MRDC) in coordinating relief efforts so that refugees crossing at may unofficial points may be supported.

For further information regarding the current situation, questions or comments please contact: Nai Auemon, HRDDP Coordinator, +66 086 1679 741 [email protected] http://rehmonnya.org/

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