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Print:This Short Update describes events that occurred in Noh T’Kaw (Kyainseikgyi) Township, Dooplaya District from June to September 2022, including indiscriminate shelling and a landmine explosion. On June 16th 2022, joint People’s Defence Forces (PDF) and Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) soldiers conducted drone attacks on State Administration Council (SAC) soldiers in Seikgyi town. As a result, between June 16th and 18th SAC soldiers indiscriminately shelled mortars at M--- village, Kyat Khat Chaung village tract, Noh T’Kaw Township. On September 7th 2022, a herd of cows from T--- village, Noh T’Kaw village tract, Noh T’Kaw (Kyainseikgyi) Township, stepped on a landmine that was planted by SAC soldiers near the Infantry Battalion (IB) #283 camp in the village.[1]
Indiscriminate Shelling
On June 16th 2022, at about 6:00 pm, the combined forces of the People’s Defence Force (PDF)[2] and the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA)[3] attacked and bombed State Administration Council (SAC)[4] Infantry Battalion (IB)[5] #432 using a drone in Seikgyi Town, Noh T'Kaw (Kyainseikgyi) Township, Dooplaya District. In return, SAC soldiers indiscriminately fired 81 mm (medium mortar shells) at M--- village, Kyat Khat Chaung village tract[6], Noh T’Kaw Township, for three consecutive days [probably as they targeted the drone’s believed location]. On June 16th 2022, the firing of mortars began at 6:00 pm and continued until 1:00 am the next morning. On June 17th 2022, shelling began at 6:00 pm and continued until 11:00 pm. On June 18th 2022, mortar firing began at 8:00 pm and continued until 1:00 am the next morning. Despite firing mortars into the village, none of the villagers' homes were damaged. [Villagers did not flee, but sought protection inside bunkers that they dug beneath their houses.]
Landmine explosion
On September 7th 2022, at about 11:00 am, a herd of cows belonging to U[7] S--- from T--- village, Noh T’Kaw village tract, Noh T’Kaw Township, Dooplaya District, stepped on a landmine that was planted by SAC soldiers near IB #283 camp while the animals were roaming near the camp in T--- village. [Local villagers knew that the landmine was planted by SAC soldiers because the soldiers themselves told them so.] A cow was killed and two others were severely injured by the landmine explosion. The severely injured cows were killed to be sold [by their owner].
Further background reading on the security and human rights situation in Dooplaya District in Southeast Burma can be found in the following KHRG reports:
- “Dooplaya District Situation Update: SAC military activity, displacement, livelihood challenges, travel insecurity and education, March to May 2022”, February 2023.
- “Dooplaya District Incident Report: A man was injured by a landmine explosion in Kaw T’Ree Township, October 2022”, January 2023.
- “Dooplaya District Interview: SAC air strikes damaged buildings in Thay Baw Boh village, Kaw T’Ree Township, May 2022”, December 2022.
- “Bombs and Bullets Like Rain: Air strikes in the 'peace town' and places of refuge in Dooplaya District, December 2021 to May 2022”, December 2022.
Footnotes:
[1] The present document is based on information received in July and September 2022. It was provided by a community member in Doopplaya District who has been trained by KHRG to monitor human rights conditions on the ground. The names of the victims, their photos and the exact locations are censored for security reasons. The parts in square brackets are explanations added by KHRG.
[2] The People’s Defence Force (PDF) is an armed resistance established independently as local civilian militias operating across the country. Following the February 1st 2021 military coup and the ongoing brutal violence enacted by the junta, the majority of these groups began working with the National Unity Government (NUG), a body claiming to be the legitimate government of Burma/Myanmar, which then formalized the PDF on May 5th 2021 as a precursor to a federal army.
[3] The Karen National Liberation Army is the armed wing of the Karen National Union.
[4] The State Administration Council (SAC) is the executive governing body created in the aftermath of the February 1st 2021 military coup. It was established by Senior General Min Aung Hlaing on February 2nd 2021, and is composed of eight military officers and eight civilians. The chairperson serves as the de facto head of government of Burma/Myanmar and leads the Military Cabinet of Myanmar, the executive branch of the government. Min Aung Hlaing assumed the role of SAC chairperson following the coup.
[5] An Infantry Battalion (IB) comprises 500 soldiers. However, most Infantry Battalions in the Tatmadaw are under-strength with less than 200 soldiers. Yet up to date information regarding the size of battalions is hard to come by, particularly following the signing of the NCA. They are primarily used for garrison duty but are sometimes used in offensive operations.
[6] A village tract is an administrative unit of between five and 20 villages in a local area, often centred on a large village.
[7] U is a Burmese title used for elder men, used before their name.
