Flash Update #6 Developments in Southeast Myanmar 25 May 2021 (Limited Distribution)
Major Developments and Security Incidents
A resurgence of armed conflict involving several armed actors took place over the weekend in Kayah State, near the border with Shan State. On the morning of Thursday, 20 May 2021, clashes between the Myanmar Armed Forces (MAF) and the Karenni Army, the armed wing of the Karenni National Progressive Party (KNPP) in Bawlakhe and Hpaswang townships took place after troops attempted to enter the KNPP’s territory which resulted in the displacement of some villagers in the region.1
On the same day, four civilians and four striking civil servants at a funeral were arrested by security forces in Demoso town. As many as 13 people were thought to have been arrested on that day.2 When talks over their release failed, the Karenni People’s Defense Force (KPDF), formed by civilian resistance fighters, launched attacks on security forces the next day.3 By the evening of Friday, 21 May 2021, the KPDF announced it had attacked and seized several military security checkpoints and outposts in Demoso and Bawlakhe townships with the help of a local ethnic armed organization (EAO).4 Though the EAO was not identified, it is believed to be the Karenni Army which is active in the region.5
Clashes were reported in at least in five locations within Demoso Township, including Daungankha, Myo Ma, Si Pin, Sa Pya Chauk Mine and Marnarplaw. According to reports, indiscriminate mortar shelling by security forces was used as the MAF sent in reinforcements following the clashes.6 In addition, there have been reports of the Border Guard Forces (BGF) mobilizing in western Demoso and roads entering to Kayah being blocked by the KPDF. As a result of the events on 20 and 21 May 2021, some local sources reported that over one thousand persons fled to nearby villages in western Demoso and Hpruso close to the Shan State border, and in eastern Demoso and Hpruso near the Than Lwin (Salween) River.
Shootings were reported from several locations in Loikaw town on Saturday, 22 May 2021. According to local sources, the MAF shot at civilians at Dawtawe checkpoint in Demoso Township and as a result, two
1 https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/burma/ethnic-army-and-civilian-forces-battle-myanmar-regime-in-kayah- state.html 2 https://www.myanmar-now.org/en/news/karenni-resistance-fighters-kill-three-police-officers-as-military- attacks-residential-areas 3 https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/burma/ethnic-army-and-civilian-forces-battle-myanmar-regime-in-kayah- state.html 4 https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/burma/three-junta-troops-killed-in-clashes-with-kayah-resistance- fighters.html 5 https://www.myanmar-now.org/en/news/karenni-resistance-fighters-kill-three-police-officers-as-military- attacks-residential-areas 6 https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/burma/ethnic-army-and-civilian-forces-battle-myanmar-regime-in-kayah- state.html
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people died and one person was injured. Fighting intensified on Sunday, 23 May 2021, after the KPDF ambushed a local police station in nearby Moe Bye, Pekhon Township, southern Shan State. In response, security forces opened fire on villages between Moe Bye and Loikaw, forcing those seeking shelter in the area to be further displaced.7
As a result of the shelling on a Catholic church in Kayan Thar Yar Village in Loikaw Township, four persons died and several others were wounded. Shootings by security forces towards civilians were also reported at Bawlakhe Township where one person died and two others were injured. Fighting also took place in urban areas on the same day with the MAF launching helicopter air strikes at Demoso8 and Loikaw, along with mortar shelling and tanks. 9Artillery shells fired indiscriminately landed on civilian homes, injuring two civilians.10 To reinforce security, a curfew was enforced in Loikaw.
On Monday, 24 May 2021, clashes around Loikaw resumed in the morning, with the KPDF setting fire to the government office as well as the houses of informers in Demoso town. Armed clashes were also observed between the KNPP and MAF in Lokhar Lo village in Maw Chi region. An unidentified number of people from Lokhar Lo village were displaced to nearby locations.
Humanitarian Situation and Response
Intensified clashes, indiscriminate mortar shelling towards civilians and airstrikes by helicopters resulted in the displacement of thousands of civilians in Kayah over the weekend. According to the preliminary observations of UNHCR together with the Kayah State Humanitarian Relief Team, a community based organization network in Kayah, over 26,000 people were displaced at over 40 locations across three townships in Kayah State, namely Demoso, Hpruso and Loikaw, along with Pekhon Township in southern Shan State. According to reports received from local sources, the displaced require urgent food, shelter and health support.
The situation remains tense and continues to evolve rapidly. Many organizations are exploring opportunities to deliver assistance to IDPs. UNHCR rapidly distributed non-food items to IDPs at two locations in Demoso Township on 22 and 23 May 2021, benefiting approximately 1000 persons. Distributions at four more locations covering 6,300 IDPs are expected to take place this week.
7 https://myanmar-now.org/en/news/more-than-40-junta-troops-killed-in-weekend-ambushes-karenni-resistance- fighters-say 8 https://www.france24.com/en/asia-pacific/20210524-police-and-soldiers-killed-in-clashes-with-rebel-fighters-in- eastern-myanmar 9 https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/may/24/myanmar-police-clashes-anti-coup-movement-deaths- peoples-defence-force 10 https://voi.id/en/news/53549/39-soldiers-killed-in-kayah-state
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