Kayin IAC Group

Briefing Note Developments in South East 30 April 2021 (Limited Distribution)

Major Developments and Security Incidents

Clashes between the Myanmar Armed Forces (MAF) and the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) of the Karen National Union (KNU) continued during the week in the South East of Myanmar, particularly in Kayin and Mon States.

In , the KNU/KNLA Brigade 5 seized an MAF base in Thaw Ler Hta in near the border with Thailand on 27 April 2021.1 Reportedly, at least three soldiers were killed and two were injured from the KNU side during the seizure.2 Following the attack, the MAF staged airstrikes in KNU/KNLA controlled areas on 27 and 28 April 2021. 3 The airstrikes were reported from Bwa Der, Dar Gwin and Thaw Le Hta in Hpapun Townships.

Armed clashes continue to spread beyond traditional conflict zones, particularly in over the past weeks where the MAF has increased its presence in the area. Clashes between the MAF and KNU/KNLA were reported at Shwe Yaung Pya area in Bilin Township, Mon State on 23 April 2021. Three members of the MAF and one civilian were killed in the incident, according to initial reports.4 In addition, two civilians were shot dead by the MAF in downtown , Thaton Township on the same day, according to residents.5 The KNU/KNLA also attacked the Kin Mon Chaung police post in Kyaikhto Township on 27 April 2021 and this was followed by subsequent clashes.6 Furthermore, clashes in Shwe Yaung Pya area (between Bilin and Thaton townships) were reported on 28 April 20217 as well as on 29 April 2021 at an MAF base near Naung Bo and Kyaik Kaw villages in Thaton Township.8

Instances of boats traversing the Than Lwin River on the Thai-Myanmar border being shot by the MAF continued to be reported. The first recorded incident took place on 20 April 2021. 9 The Karen Information Center reported that boat crossings have been suspended due to indiscriminative shootings by the MAF which has disrupted the transport of assistance to IDPs in Hpapun Township.10 According to a news report,

1 https://www.facebook.com/KICNewsPage/posts/1667123546805793 2 https://www.facebook.com/khitthitnews/posts/1182163245554353 3https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2021/04/27/myanmar-army-base-burned-down- guerrillas-coup-continues/7395931002/ 4 https://www.facebook.com/thanlwintimes9/posts/2717267351731097 5 https://www.facebook.com/thanlwintimes9/posts/2719845488139950 6 https://www.facebook.com/OnlineMedia009/posts/563172391708524 7 https://www.facebook.com/thanlwintimes9/posts/2731218617002637 8 https://www.facebook.com/OnlineMedia009/posts/564411254917971 9http://kicnews.org/2021/04/%e1%80%9e%e1%80%b6%e1%80%9c%e1%80%bc%e1%80%84%e1%80%b9%e1%80 %bb%e1%80%99%e1%80%85%e1%80%b9%e1%80%a1%e1%80%90%e1%80%bc%e1%80%84%e1%80%b9%e1%80 %b8 10 https://www.facebook.com/KICNewsPage/posts/1661122767405871

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Kayin IAC Group

11the MAF again fired warning shots above a civilian boat carrying Thai border patrol officers in Mae Hong Son area on 22 April 2021. Thai authorities later clarified that the incident was a misunderstanding.12 Later on, Thai authorities met with the MAF and agreed that the local authorities must be informed of any movements between two countries through the Than Lwin River, starting from Thailand.

Humanitarian Situation and Response

Humanitarian needs continue to be dire and new displacements were reported during the week. UNHCR observed through its partners that 2,946 people (495 households) from 21 villages were displaced into the jungle in Kyaukkyi Township (KNU Brigade 3 area) in eastern Bago Region due to clashes between the MAF and KNU. Those displaced in the jungle have limited access to basic needs, including shelter material which is of particular concern in view of the upcoming rainy season. Furthermore, assistance to other displaced populations remain limited due to existing road blockages.

According to some reports, following the recent airstrikes on 27 and 28 April 2021, about 3,000 villagers were displaced and are hiding in caves and bomb holes.13 Some reports also alleged cross border movements of Myanmar nationals to Thailand. According to the Governor of Mae Hong Son Province in Thailand, 68 Myanmar nationals crossed into Thailand in the morning of 28 April 2021 to seek protection and one person crossed over in the evening on 27 April 2021 to seek medical help.14 DVB news reported that another 13 villagers from Eu Thu Ko village crossed the border on 27 April 2021.15 The Karen Peace Support Network (KPSN) puts the number of those who fled to Thailand to be at about 300 and warns that up to 8,000 people along the may flee to Thailand if the fighting continues to escalate.16

Despite access challenges and the rapidly evolving situation, efforts are in place to deliver assistance and respond to the needs of affected populations in the Southeast of Myanmar. Within this scope, many agencies are mobilizing humanitarian interventions in the area:

• Handicap International (HI) intends to provide emergency humanitarian assistance to the IDPs with a focus on integrated rehabilitation services, mental, health and psychological support, explosive ordnance risk education, protection mainstreaming as well as COVID-prevention and distribution.

• Malteser International plans to carry out WASH and health programmes as well as deliver public health services to the IDPs and other affected populations in the region.

11 https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2104891/salween-shooting-called-misunderstanding 12 https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/myanmar-troops-fire-warning-shots-above-boat-carrying-thai- border-officials-2021-04-24/ 13 https://www.facebook.com/KPSN.karen/posts/2944241955852726 14 https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2107211/myanmar-junta-launches-fresh-air-raids-near-thai- border 15 http://burmese.dvb.no/archives/460289 16 https://www.myanmar-now.org/en/news/hundreds-seek-refuge-in-thailand-following-junta-airstrikes-in-karen- state

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Kayin IAC Group

• Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) has provided shelter kits and emergency assistance to the families in Kyaukkyi Township in eastern Bago region as well as the area in Hpapun Township, Kayin State.

• Suwannamit Foundation has extended short term emergency assistance including dry food, shelter, NFI and safe delivery kits to over 7,000 IDPs in Hpapun Township, Kayin State and is planning to support existing health services operated by partners in seven districts of Kayin State.

• Premier Urgence International (PUI) opened a health clinic and is aiming to reopen its clinic in in Township, Kayin State. PUI is also starting construction of a borehole tube well at An Hpa Gyi village in Township, Kayin State.

• UNICEF is planning WASH and child protection interventions to 10,000 IDPs in Hpapun township. It recently signed a partnership with Community Partners International (CPI) for WASH emergency response to the displaced population in Hpapun Township, Kayin State. CPI will procure WASH support items in Thailand and cross-border distribution will be made through local CSOs with the acceptance of the KNU.

• UNHCR has delivered NFIs to 50 IDP households from Hpapun Township, Kayin State who were displaced to Myaing Gyi Ngu. In addition, UNHCR is planning to deliver core relief items to 200 IDPs in , Kayin State and shelter materials to 494 households comprising of 2,964 IDPs in Kyuakkyi Township, eastern Bago Region.

• WFP is preparing to deliver food assistance to displaced populations in Kawkareik Township, Kayin State and Kyuakkyi Township, eastern Bago Region.

While many partners could so far deliver assistance to Hpapun Township, Kayin State, access challenges have been observed in reaching to the KNU Brigades 1 and 3 areas. Partners across the Southeast are exploring possibilities in improving access to those areas in order to effectively respond to the urgent humanitarian needs of affected communities.

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