Karenni State: On the ground reporting
Yesterday a local team in Karenni state that we have collaborated with in the past, sent the following report, with a request that it be shared more widely. We are doing so here. The humanitarian needs he describes are hard to even conceptualize, and equally astounding is that conventional news outlets barely seem to be showing an interest in this unfolding human disaster. Our humble platform continues to do what it can to spread information as well as raise funds. Any contribution you are able to give will help us to continue in this effort.
We are in Karenni now with over 170,000 displaced and fighting every day. In addition to ground attack supported by 60, 81 and 120 mm motors as well as rockets, The Burma military also uses Russian Hind type attack helicopters firing rockets and machine guns and jet fighters that bomb the Karenni. Yesterday morning 2 Mi 8 type helicopters -one of them we were told carrying general Soe Win, escorted by a fighter plane came into Loikaw. They departed in the late afternoon.
There are attacks every day that also include the hind type attack helicopters from Russia. I think they are 35 I. Here we are doing medical programs children programs for the Idp’s And give medical care to the local resistance at the front. Here in Karenni state the resistance is comprised of over 1,000 Karenni Army (which belongs to the KNPP) regulars and 6,000 new volunteers- PDF groups.
The PDF battalion I am visiting with now has 400 members and 35 rifles which is typical. There are over 25 volunteer battalions in this area -18 of these battalions under the Karenni Army and organized as the Karenni National Defense Force (KNDF) and others that report to the NUG and represent the major Karenni towns (Loikaw, Demoso, Phruso, Bawlake, Pasawng, Shadaw and Pekon just across the border in Shan State). These are aligned with the NUG and coordinate closely with the Karenni Army and KNDF- all of these battalions are highly motivated but very under armed. We are in between the attacking Burma army forces and the IDPS. Thank you for all your help.