KNU terrorists shoot at passenger bus

Three KNU terrorists fired at a vehicle on its way back to Thantaunggyi Township leaving a monk wounded and killing another monk and a woman on 25 November.

Thantaunggyi Town-ship Aung Myin monastery presiding Sayadaw Bhaddanta Vimala died of wounds at the hospital and Thantaunggyi Township MyoU monastery presiding Sayadaw Bhaddanta Nameindha was wounded in the KNU terrorist attack. The 45-year-old woman who was also killed in the attack was Daw Naw Lai Lai, daughter of U Ma Lel Le of No 4 Thantaungthit Ward.

The injured were rushed to Toungoo Township People's Hospital. The rest in the vehicle were provided necessary assistance. The local military columns are in hot pursuit of KNU terrorists.

New Light of Myanmar
30/11/07

Burmese Army Reinforces Troops for Dry Season Military Offensives

The Burmese government has reinforced troops in Karen State in preparation for dry season military offensives against the Karen National Union, according to sources close to the Burmese military regime.

The regime’s Central Command has sent about 10 Light Infantry Divisions which make up the Military Operation Command 4, with an estimated 20,000 soldiers, to southern and northern Karen State in November.

MOC 4 was sent to Mon and Kyauk Gyi in Pegu Division and Papun in northern Karen State. LID 88 with some 1,500 soldiers was sent to Kawkareik and Kyar Inn Seik Gyi in southern Karen State, according to the source.

Meanwhile, the Free Burma Rangers, a medical relief team that aids internally displaced persons, said some 3,000 Burmese soldiers of Light Infantry Division 33 in northern Karen State were sent to Mon in Pegu Division on November 20, accompanied by about 20 Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA) soldiers and 100 porters.

Saw Steve, a member of the Committee for Internally Displaced Karen People, told The Irrawaddy on Friday, “Burmese troops started to enter Mon in Pegu Division in late November. Villagers are now on alert. After having meals, they [villagers] always keep their plates, pots and cups in a basket and they’re prepared to flee if necessary.”

Mahn Sha, the secretary-general of the Karen National Union, said the Burmese army would probably launch armed operations after it completes stockpiling rations in the area.

“We’ve heard that they [Burmese armies] intend to launch military operations, especially against the KNU. Small clashes between the KNU and Burmese army happen every day in the region of Three Pagodas Pass, Kawkareik, Kyar Inn Seik Gyi, Myawaddy, Pa-an and Taungoo District.”

He said about 150 Burmese battalions are now stationed in Karen State. The Burmese army is also destroying villagers’ paddy fields and forcing villagers to work on the construction of two new roads in Karen State bordering Karenni State, Mahn Sha said.
On November 15, some 300 people, including at least 100 children in Ler Wah and Ta Hoe Aung villages in northern Karen state, fled an attack launched by Light Infantry Division 11, according to a FBR report. Two local villagers were killed by Light Infantry Battalion 218 and 219, the report said

Meanwhile, on November 20 Burmese units from MOC 8 and 19 arrived in the Three Pagodas Pass border area near Mon Sate in southern Burma, according to a ceasefire group, the New Mon State Party.

Nai ong Ma-nge, a spokesperson of the New Mon State Party, said troops have reinforced soldiers already stationed near the NMSP area, and they are likely to launch an offensive against the KNU.

He said the NMSP is also preparing for an attack from Burmese soldiers.

Nai ong Ma-nge said, “It is not good because they [Burmese soldiers] increased their troops in our ethnic areas while their leaders are talking about achieving political dialogue for national reconciliation. They should withdraw their armies.”

The NMSP is worried about the Burmese reinforcements around the Three Pagodas Pass—an area controlled by the NMSP, the KNU and the DKBA. Recently, the KNU closed down a road from Three Pagodas Pass to Thanbyuzayat because it believed the Burmese army planned to use the road when operating a military offensive against the KNU and Mon and Karen villages in the area.

On November 7, a two-hour clash occurred between Burmese soldiers from Infantry Battalion 577 and the Shan State Army – South at a village in Shan state. Four Burmese soldiers were killed and four were injured. No SSA-S soldiers were injured, according to Sai Lao Hseng, a spokesperson for the SSA-S.

Tension between Burmese soldiers and the Kachin Independence Organization recently increased with both sides reinforcing troops near the China-Burma border. Burmese soldiers have also begun disrupting KIO businesses in the region, according to a local source.

A Burmese military offensive that began in February of 2006 in northern Karen State has killed more than 370 villagers, including children, and displaced more than 30,000 people. More than 5,000 displaced persons have fled to the Thai-Burma border area.


Saw Yan Naing
Irrawaddy
30-11-07

Junta launches fresh campaign against KNU

Sporadic guerilla warfare has once again shaken eastern Burma's Karen State as the Burmese Army has begun a fresh offensive against the ethnic Karen's main armed resistant group, the Karen National Union (KNU), said the General Secretary of the group.

Padoh Man Sha, General Secretary of the KNU, told Mizzima that sporadic fighting has been ongoing in Kawkreik and Myawaddy Townships in the eastern regions of Burma since September, as columns of the Burmese Army - Light Infantry Battalions 230, 231 and 549 - push into areas controlled by the KNU's 6th Brigade.

"Fighting is continuing. Since they [Burmese army] are using human shields, we [KNU] have to utilize guerilla warfare tactics with sporadic attacks," Man Sha said.

Khaing Mar Kyaw Zaw, a Karen journalist based on the Thai-Burmese border, said the Burmese Army is using the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA), a Karen armed group which has a ceasefire agreement with the junta, in their campaign against the KNU.

"The current campaign is led by the DKBA, and the Burmese army is joining them. Sources close to the DKBA say they have proclaimed that they will capture areas controlled by the KNU's 6th Brigade within 3 months," Khaing Mar Kyaw Zaw said.

She added that a source in Kawkreik Township, who is close to the DKBA, has revealed that the current campaign is designed to capture KNU dominated areas so as to clear the way for the construction of the Asian Highway, which is to pass through Kawkreik and Myawaddy Townships in Karen state.

The Burmese Army has joined the DKBA's Brigades 333, 907, 901 and Special Battalion 999 in the new campaign against the KNU.

"A DKBA Captain named Bo Mojo is said to have led the campaign and used villagers for portering as well as for human shields, to prevent the KNU from launching counter attacks," Khaing Mar Kyaw Zaw said.

However, Man Sha said that counter offensives have killed several attacking troops, with the KNU suffering only a few casualties.

"Since they [the Burmese army and DKBA] are randomly pushing their way in, they suffer more casualties. Our boys launch sporadic guerilla attacks," Man Sha added.

However, Man Sha could not provide a casualty figure for either side.

Mizzima
30-11-07

KNU not to reopen Three Pagoda Pass-Thanphyuzayart highway

The Karen National Union in a letter to the Three Pagoda Pass Township Peace and Development Council authorities has announced that it is not going to work in tandem with the Burmese military authorities to reopen the highway from the Thai-Burma border town of Three Pagoda Pass to Thanpyuzayart, Mon State .
 
The letter was sent not only to TPP authorities, but also to traders and businessmen who operate from across its gate in Kyungyaung village. The officer at the check point gave the letter to them.  
The letter has the seal of the KNU and said that they would not take any responsibility for those passing through the Three Pagoda Pass to Thanpyuzayart road and would shoot whoever uses the vehicular route.
 
There are three routes, Three Pagoda Pass to Kyainnseikyi Township , Karen State , TPP to Ye Township, and TPP to Thanphyuzayart Township , Mon State .
 
KNU has allowed businessmen and traders the use of two roads but not TPP to Thanphyuzayart route because there are thousands of Burma Army troops using the road. They are the enemy and KNU have said they will shoot at any car, boat or people they see on this route, a person who read the letter said.
 
He added that KNU will take off its gate after its water trip at the end of this month and will have a meeting on December 4 to let car owners and the traders know which route they will be allowed to use.
 
KNU has prohibited use of  the vehicular route  fromT PP to Thanpyuzayart  because the regime armed forces marched to their area of influence to establish four more army bases in Kyainnseikyi and Three Pagoda Pass Townships.
 
A car owner who used to drive from the Thai-Burma border town to Thanpyuzayart said that this will affect the local people badly because the ban and restriction is not only from KNU but also from the Burma Army's side.

IMNA
29/11/07
Image: Three Pagodas Pass - Myanmar.com

Burma Army troops move into Karen state, one killed in clash

Not less than 2,000 Burma Army troops marched to Karen State Kyainnseikyi Township and Three Pagoda Pass (TPP) areas where the Karen Nation Union has influence. A gun battle took place between the two sides at 4 pm in Thet-phyu-chung village in Kyainnseikyi Township yesterday killing one Burmese soldier and injuring two, sources from a cease-fire group in TPP said
 
IMNA tried to contact a KNU leader to confirm the news but his telephone was not available.
 
The Burma Army troops are from Infantry Battalion (IB) No. 28, IB 403, Light Infantry Battalion (LIB) 338, 339, 36 and 403, 405 and 406 which are under Military Operation Management Command No. 8.
 
LIB No. 338, 339, IB No. 28 are active in Kyaik-Dein area, and 403, 405, 406 are in Pha-yar-ngou-tou area in Kyainnseikyi Township .
 
IB No. 28 is operating in Myaing Thayar village, Three Pagoda Pass Township .
 
There are already four battalions in Kyainnseikyi Township and Three Pagoda Pass Township and now troops are flocking to these territories because the junta wants the army in four more places in Mon and Karen ethnic areas in Burma.
 
A motorcycle trader said he met the soldiers on his way to Three Pagoda Pass border town and heard from a military officer that there were about 85 military trucks transporting the soldier and rations.
 
The Burma Army's offensive in Karen Nation Union territory is to clear the opposition army group because in this area a railway project is coming up in 2008 from Three Pagoda Pass to Thanphyuzayart, according to source close to military in Three Pagoda Pass. 
 
More over, the military regime plans to station an artillery battalion in Chung-zone village area, according to sources close to authorities in TPP. 

Joi Htaw
IMNA
27/11/07
Image: File Photo - Armed Forces Day

Burma rebel group denies child soldier claims

An ethnic rebel group waging a decades-long uprising against Burma's military regime has denied a United Nations report saying it recruited child soldiers.
The Karen National Union (KNU), which has battled the government for 57 years in one of the world's longest-running insurgencies, said it had banned the presence of children under 18 in its ranks in 2003.
"Some parts of the [UN secretary-general's] current report, based on data collected in 2005, is no longer relevant," a KNU statement said.
"Accordingly, the KNU and KNLA (Karen National Liberation Army) are no longer involved in the use of child soldiers and violations of child rights."
In a statement released Friday, UN secretary-general Ban Ki-moon said that both the military government and rebel groups continued to violate children's rights by recruiting underage soldiers.
Citing a recent UN report, he said that the government was picking up street children or those without national identity cards and offering them the choice of arrest or joining the army.
"Also of grave concern are the reliable reports of a number of incarcerated children/minors who have been convicted of desertion and sentenced to prison terms of up to five years," Mr Ban said in the statement.
Burma's military government officially denies using child soldiers and has passed a law to outlaw the practice.
But human rights groups say child soldiers in Burma remain alarmingly common, with boys as young as 12 recruited to fight the ethnic rebel armies in the country's border regions.

KNU Statement

AFP
25-11-07
Image: A young boy poses for journalists at KNLA 201 battalion HQ in 2000. Although children are often found in KNLA bases they are usually tasked with basic chores around the camp. This boy was the son of a 201 Battalion soldier. - Paul Keenan - KHCPS

Karen Political and Ceasefire Groups Issue Pro-Junta Statements

The Union Kayin League
Announcement
Letter No Pa Ka Pha 01/2007
Date 16 November 2007
1. The Union Kayin League is an official political party originated from (Dawkalu) Kayin National Asiayone formed in 1881.

2. The league was formed with the objective of cooperating with other national races of the Union for introduction of genuine democratic practice.

3. The league attended the National Convention from start to finish, which was held from 1993. It took part in the discussions on laying down fundamental principles and detailed basic principles together with other eight delegate groups.

4. The Union Kayin League will take part in implementation of the future tasks of the National Convention in cooperation with all the national races with the objective of national reconsolidation in accord with the seven-step Road Map.

5. Hence, the Union Kayin League does not agree to the discussion on the affairs of national races by any person or any organization as the league has already participated in the issue of national races in the National Convention. The league supports the government's measures taken for the emergence of the constitution based on the already-laid down fundamental principles and detailed basic principles in the National Convention. The league will continue to take part in the efforts for implementation of the remaining steps of the seven-step Road Map.

The Union Kayin League

Phayagon Special Region Peace Group
Announcement
Date: 14th November 2007
The Phayagon Special Region Peace Group has abandoned the armed struggle line of KNU and unconditionally exchanged arms for peace. Therefore, we participated in the National Convention to secure rights of national races legally. The fundamental principles and detailed basic principles laid down at the National Convention have guaranteed to give national races the legislative power, executive power and judiciary power that were not enjoyed in the past. Laying down the fundamental principles and detailed basic principles at the National Convention proved that the national reconsolidation had been realized.

National legal experts are included in the 54-member Commission for Drafting the State Constitution and it shows that national races also get an opportunity to participate in writing the draft constitution. As the third step of the Seven-Step Road Map has been taken, we believe that efforts for implementing the other steps will continue to be made.

However, while implementing the seven-step Road Map, Mr Gambari released a statement of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi on her behalf. We believe that according to the statement, the point implying that she will represent the national races is ignoring the national races' desire that was expressed at the National Convention. In the interests of the country, we do not need to favour the interests of a person or a party. We must consider the interests of over 50 million people.

Hence, we, the Phayagon Special Region Peace Group, announce that we do not accept the act that harms the basic principles approved unanimously by delegates of eight delegate groups including national races and we will continue to fully cooperate with the government to implement the seven-step Road Map.
Phayagon Special Region Peace Group

Democratic Kayin Buddhist Association
Date: 14th November 2007
Announcement
The Democratic Kayin Buddhist Association made peace with the government to be able to serve the interests of Kayin national race and to build the unity of national races and it also participated in the National Convention.
We believe that the National Convention is only place where all political parties, groups representing national races and delegates from all walks of life can hold discussions most comprehensively. We also believe that the fundamental principles and detailed basic principles laid down at the National Convention represent the desires of all national races.
Therefore, we don't accept the acts which do not recognize the basic principles laid down at the National Convention and those which can harm the implementation of the seven-step Road Map. We do not agree to a statement implying that an individual or a party will represent national races. As desires of all national races including DKBA were expressed at the National Convention, we will continue to support and to fully cooperate in the implementation of the seven-step Road Map.
Chairman
Democratic Kayin Buddhist Association (DKBA)

Monk from Karen state flees to Thai border

A Buddhist monk from Karen State arrived at the Thai border town of Mae Sot on Wednesday after escaping arrest by the Burmese army and the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army.

The 48 year-old monk, Ashin Sein Tita, from Arr Kaung monastery in Kawkareik Township in Karen State, fled to the border fearing reprisals for his involvement in the pro-democracy demonstrations in August and September.
Ashin Sein Tita was one of prominent monks who led hundreds of protesters through the streets in Kawkareik Township, chanting the “Metta Sutta” (the Buddha’s words on loving kindness).
“They [the Burmese authorities] came to arrest me after I twice led protests and gave interviews with the exiled Burmese media three times,” said Sayardaw Sein Tita.
He said that he narrowly escaped from the monastery when authorities came to arrest him. He had been followed by the security forces for several weeks.
“If I had still been at the monastery an hour later, I would have been arrested and jailed for sure,” he added.
Ashin Sein Tita traveled to the Thai border by foot, avoiding DKBA checkpoints along the way. It took him two weeks to get to Mae Sot.
He said that police and about 30 soldiers—mostly DKBA troops—have surrounded Arr Kaung monastery since he left for Thailand last month.
The monk said that he would continue to fight for the people and for democratic reform in Burma as much as he could. He said that he expected many more people to flee from Burma to Thailand in the near future.
Dozens of pro-democracy activists, including monks, have arrived in Mae Sot since the September crackdown on the nationwide protests in Burma.

Over 1000 SPDC landmines on Karen state highway

The Burmese Army has replanted over 1,000 landmines along the Kot Ka Rait and Tingun Nyi Noun highways in Karen State, Burma , in an effort to ‘clean up’ the highway. Sources from the Karen National Union (KNU) said replanting of mines started two days ago.
“Three Burmese military groups have come together to replant landmines in the north Kot Ka Rait area, along with Khi Mu Hta and Noe Poe villages, General Hla Ngwe said.

“On the October 24 and 25 the KNU fought the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA)-assisted Burma Army. Soon after the gun fight, it became clear that the SPDC planned to plant over 1000 landmines in the area between October 29 and October 31,” he added.

The plan was communicated directly from the Burma Army groups of Light Infantry Battalions (Kha Ma Ya 545, 355 and 356),” added General Hla Ngwe.  “The SPDC’s army didn’t design the mines carefully and they planted them in protest against the way we came and fought them, so they didn’t cover the mines. Sometimes we hear the mines exploding in the jungle but it is difficult to discern who has set them off.”

“Whenever we hear bombs exploding in the jungle nobody dares to go and look at the situation, so it’s hard to say whether it’s villagers or wild animals stepping on the mines,” a Kot Ka Rait villager said.
On October 25 and 27 the DKBA, assisted the Burmese Army Kha Ma Ya (545) and fought the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) and KNU in the areas now heavily laid with landmines.

“In Karenni State in early October the Burmese Army increased the number of landmines because they thought that the revolutionary groups were coming to attack them,” the Karenni National Progressive Party (KNPP) said.
In Three Pagodas Pass on Thai-Burma border on October 27 a land mine exploded in a DKBA head-person’s home.  One person was injured.

6-11-07
Kaowao

Ethnic armies prepare for dry season offensive

The increase in frontline confrontations between the Burmese army and ethnic groups is an indication that the military government is planning a major offensive, according to sources from ethnic groups.

Maj Hla Ngwe, secretary of the Karen National Union’s information department, told The Irrawaddy o¬n Wednesday that fighting has increased between Burmese and Karen soldiers in recent weeks, especially in Kawkareik Township in Karen State’s Brigade 6.
He said, “It is most likely that they [the Burmese army, or Tatmadaw] will conduct military operations during the dry season as they used to do. They are trying to clean the way for the Asia highway in Karen state.”
In Kawkareik Township, the Tatmadaw has reinforced its troop numbers and set up armed camps in areas where the road is due to be built, he said.
In previous years the Burmese army would launch military operations in the ethnic areas only during the dry season months (usually January to May).
Meanwhile, vice-secretary of the Karenni National Progressive Party, Khu Oo Reh, said that the Karenni army has clashed with Burmese troops an estimated six times since early October. He said that Karenni soldiers are preparing for conflict in the months ahead.
Khu Oo Reh added that two Burmese soldiers die for every one Karenni soldier killed in hand to hand combat.
Regular clashes are also occurring in the middle and western regions of Shan State, according to a spokesperson for the Shan State Army (South), Sai Lao Hseng. He added that his troops were always on the alert.
On 23—24 October, a skirmish occurred between the Karen National Liberation Army, the regular army of the KNU, and the breakaway Democratic Karen Buddhist Army, the DKBA. One soldier from the DKBA was seriously injured, said Maj Hla Ngwe of the KNU.
Then on October 27, there was a clash between the KNLA and Burmese soldiers in Kawkareik Township in Karen State. Six Burmese soldiers were killed, but no Karen soldiers died, Maj Hla Ngwe claimed.
Meanwhile, from 24 to 29 October, Burmese army troops from Division 88 and Military Operations Command, MOC 1 sacked two Karen villages—Ler Mu Plaw and Yeh Mu Plaw, in Papun District—and destroyed the villagers’ rice harvest, according to a report by the Free Burma Rangers relief team.
The report stated that two villagers were killed and nine villagers were wounded, including two teenage girls. The Tatmadaw forcibly relocates villagers, chases people from their homes, disrupts their planting and harvesting, and kills anyone who resists, the report concluded.
The largest Burmese army offensive in recent years against the Karen people was in February 2006 when 30,000 Karen villagers from the northern three districts of Karen State were displaced from their homes and an estimated 370 people were killed. Since then, 52 new Burmese army bases have been built in the area.

Saw Yan Naing
1-11-07
Irrawaddy

Travelers taxed, movement restricted by KNU

Many people interviewed by IMNA claimed that the Karen National Union (KNU) troops in their area restricted them from traveling making it difficult to cross their gate.
 
The KNU has limited 25 passengers in each boat and is making each traveller pay 30,000 Kyat (22 USD) as trip cost.
 
From Three Pagodas Pass (TPP) to Kyainnseikyi Township is about 60 miles but the KNU has divided the trip into two parts at Kyungyaung village.
 
Passengers on each boat coming from TPP has to change to another boat to go to Kyainnseikyi while passengers in the boat coming from Kyainnseikyi also have to change to another boat to go to TPP.
 
"This way the KNU can tax twice because they tax boats arriving boats and leaving," said a local politician.
 
The ceasefire groups, the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army, New Mon State Party, Karen Peace Front, and the State Peace and Development Council are taxing people in this area. Some have set up gates for taxing. The rate of travel by people has been increasing by the year.
 
However, another trip from Moulmein to Myawaddy along the Myawaddy-Moulmein Asia highway is far less costly at about 6,000 kyat (4 USD) which makes it five times less than that by boat.  
 
"The KNU has done nothing for travelers and the people have not benefited. People have to keep waiting," said a traveler who came back from the border.
 
IMNA interviewed Hla New, a spokesman of KNU who said "We don't know of this situation. The local Colonel did not report to us."
 
The IMNA also tried to contact KNU local officials responsible for TPP area over telephone but could not.

IMNA
30-10-07

Government troops clash with KNLA

Fights between the Burmese government army and ethnic rebels have been on the increase in Karen and Karenni states as the government tries to clear land for a road-building project.

Karen National Union spokesperson Saw Hla Ngway told DVB that fights have been reported between Burmese troops, backed by the Democratic Karen Buddhist Association, and the Karen National Liberation Army, the armed wing of the KNU.
The KNLA’s Battalion 18 under Brigade 6 has clashed with the government army as it advances into Karen rebel territory to clear land for a major road-building project to take place between Thailand and Burma.
Saw Hla Ngway said that another skirmish took place in the Ywartanshae area on Tuesday between KNU troops and about 400 soldiers from DKBA Battalions 906 and 909 [Most likely the report means 999 Special Battalion of which Maung Chit Htoo is the Commander], led by Major Chit Thu and Major Nakhanmwe. The number of the casualties is still unknown.
“The fights are going to continue as the government is trying to clear the land by supplying the DKBA with all the weapons and facilities they need,” Saw Hla Ngway said.
Seven other clashes have been reported from Karenni state involving insurgent group the Karenni National Progressive Party. The group’s secretary (2) Khoo Oo Rah claims the fights resulted in one KNPP death, while six from the SPDC side were killed or injured.

DVB
26-10-07
Image: Nakhanmwe - KHCPS

KNU attacks retreating Burmese Army, kills four

The Karen National Union, an ethnic armed rebel group, said it has killed at least four Burmese soldiers when it attacked a Burmese Army convoy, retreating from the frontline, early yesterday morning.

The KNU spokesperson, Pado Mann Sha, said a unit of Battalion 103 of the Karen National Liberation Army, the armed wing of KNU, ambushed the Burmese troops near the Phalu village in Karen State and killed at least four soldiers.
“I don’t know where this battalion will be posted as they have been ordered to move back to base. I don’t know if they will be deployed in Rangoon to kill protesting monks and students. But it is a reinforcement. That’s why our people have attacked them,” Pado Mann Sha told Mizzima.
He added that the Burmese unit’s strength was about 40 and the half an hour battle left three Burmese army officers and a private dead.

Than Htike Oo
Mizzima
30-9-07