Briefing Note Developments in South East Myanmar 7 April 2021 (Limited Distribution) Major Developments and Security Incidents Clashes between the Myanmar Armed Forces (MAF) and the Karen National Union (KNU) have intensified over the past fortnight in many parts of southeastern Myanmar. The rapid deterioration of the security situation can be traced back to events on 27 March 2021 when a dawn raid by the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) of the Karen National Union (KNU) on a MAF military base in the Thee Muh Hta area of Hpapun Township, Kayin State took place. Tensions between the MAF and KNU/KNLA had been high prior to the attack and the dawn raid was carried out in response to continuous indiscriminate mortar shelling by MAF in the surrounding areas. The MAF subsequently responded with retaliatory airstrikes on the same day targeting the headquarters of the KNU/KNLA’s Brigade 5 in Day Bpoo Noh. The airstrikes resulted in the displacement of thousands of civilians, about 100 of which crossed the border into Mae Hong Son Province of Thailand to seek shelter. Armed conflict in the area intensified in the days that followed with additional airstrikes launched by the MAF on 28, 29, 30 and 31 March 2021, targeting key sites in territory under the control of KNU/KNLA in Hpapun Township, Kayin State and Kyaukkyi Township, Bago Region. The airstrikes constitute the most significant attack on the region in years and triggered an outflow of over 3,800 persons into Thailand between 27 and 29 March 2021. The majority have since returned to their places of origin while figures from the Royal Thai Government indicate that some 1,100 persons remain in Thailand as of 1 April 2021. No further airstrikes have taken place since 31 March 2021. The airstrikes coincided with the deployment of additional MAF security forces in the area which has resulted in further clashes on the ground. Skirmishes between the MAF and KNU/KNLA Brigade 3 took place in Kyaukkyi Township, eastern Bago Region on 29 and 30 March 2021, resulting in several casualties. Mortar shelling also took place in Kawkareik Township, Kayin State on 30 March 2021. Following the first round of airstrikes on 27 March 2021, the KNU/KNLA announced that further actions would be taken against the MAF to protect its territory and issued a statement on 30 March 2021 calling international community and Thailand to help Karen people fleeing violence. The KNU/KNLA also declared1 the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement to be over and that political talks have been suspended. On 2 April 2021, the KNU/KNLA issued another statement2 accusing MAF of deploying "excessive force" and that continuous air strikes have displaced more than 12,000 unarmed civilians, including children in Kayin State. The statement also called on the international community to "block the sale of all explosive weaponry large and small, any advanced technology used for propagating war, and jet fighters". 1 https://www.reuters.com/article/us-myanmar-politics-ethnic/as-ethnic-armies-unite-against-coup-war-returns- to-myanmars-borderlands-idUSKBN2BM2KF 2 https://twitter.com/knuhq/status/1378166244617031688 On 31 March 2021, the MAF announced the extension of a unilateral ceasefire from 1 April to 30 April, to hold peace talks with ethnic groups and to celebrate the Thingyan water festival. The announcement however gave exception to "defending from actions that disrupt (de facto) government security and administration".3 Clashes continued in southeast Myanmar immediately after the announcement. In the first week of April, clashes between the MAF and KNU/KNLA took place at least in five locations on the Kamamaung to Hpapun road.4 5 On 2 April, MAF troops fired into Ler Day Village, Hpapun Township, killing a woman and forcing villagers to flee into the jungle.6 Other sources also indicated shelling by the MAF in Hpapun Township on 3 and 4 April 2021, forcing an unconfirmed number of villagers to seek shelter at Myaing Gyi Ngu IDP camp7 According to the Free Burma Rangers, MAF operations in Hpapun Township, Kayin State have displaced over 20,000 people. 8 It is to be noted that clashes have started to take place outside of traditional conflict zones. Reports of skirmishes in areas outside of Hpapun Township, Kayin State and Kyaukkyi Township, Bago Region have surfaced in recent days. On 2 and 3 April 2021, fighting between the MAF and KNU/KNLA Brigade 1 was recorded in Bilin and Thaton townships of Mon State. Clashes were also reported in Ye Township, Mon State (KNU/KNLA Brigade 6 area)9 and in Kyaikhto Township, Mon State (KNU/KNLA Brigade 1 area) on 6 April 2021. Humanitarian Situation and Response The deteriorating security situation and intensified clashes since 27 March resulted in new displacement in the region. Estimates of the displaced range between 10,000 to 20,000 people. Of this number, over 3,800 persons crossed the border into Thailand to seek safety. The Thai authorities on 28 March 2021 denied turning back some 2,000 persons and said it was government policy to accommodate them at the border reception area.10 Thai authorities subsequently permitted a small number of individuals requiring medical attention to seek treatment in Thailand.11 It also allowed Thai local populations and aid groups to transport relief items on 5 April 2021 to the Myanmar side of the border for distribution among 3 https://asia.nikkei.com/Spotlight/Myanmar-Coup/Myanmar-coup-latest-Junta-announces-one-month-ceasefire- with-exceptions 4 The villagers from War Tho Kho are displaced to Myaing Gyi Ngu due to the clashes but the number of IDPs has not been confirmed yet. 5 https://www.freeburmarangers.org/2021/04/05/20000-hiding-karen-state-burma-army-airstrikes-ground- attacks-continue-kill-civilians/ 6 https://www.freeburmarangers.org/2021/04/05/20000-hiding-karen-state-burma-army-airstrikes-ground- attacks-continue-kill-civilians/ 7 No figures on displacement are available. 8 MAF launched another attack with four battalions of Division 88 moving from Kamamaung up towards the town of Hpapun. https://www.freeburmarangers.org/2021/04/05/20000-hiding-karen-state-burma-army-airstrikes- ground-attacks-continue-kill-civilians/ 9 One civilian was injured. 10 https://www.reuters.com/article/us-myanmar-politics-karen/thailand-denies-forcing-back-myanmar-refugees- blocked-at-border-idUSKBN2BL1JY 11 https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asia/myanmar-thailand-refugees-karen-ethnic-minority-villagers- 14524058 communities affected by the conflict, following a request submitted by the Karen Thai Group on 2 April 2021. Small groups have continued to arrive in Thailand within the past week. The Karen Peace Support Network (KPSN) reported that a group of 76 villagers fled to Thailand on 30 March 202112 while a separate group of seven individuals also crossed into Thailand on the same day.13 The Royal Thai Government reported on 1 April that approximately 1,100 people remain in Thailand. Based on information gathered from various sources, UNHCR believes that the majority of those that fled across the border to Thailand have since returned to their places of origin in Myanmar. Through remote protection monitoring UNHCR and partners have made contact with some 500 families from four affected communities. These families continue to be in displacement and on the move to seek safer location to stay. Their humanitarian needs continue to be acute. On 5 April 2021, the KNU Department of Information reported that returnees from Thailand are in dire need of medicine and shelter materials due to heavy rainfall in recent days. UNHCR is engaging with partners on the ground to explore possibilities to deliver critical humanitarian assistance and support the displaced. 12 https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/burma/thai-authorities-turn-back-villagers-fleeing-myanmar-regimes- airstrikes.html 13 https://www.reuters.com/article/us-myanmar-politics-thailand/some-myanmar-wounded-cross-into-thailand- others-sent-back-idUSKBN2BM0LC .