On June 14th, Dr. Sasa, the Minister of International Cooperation for the National Unity Government (NUG), issued a statement strongly condemning the Military Council's heinous crimes of killing 26 civilians in Mobye (Mongpai), located between Shan State and Karenni (Kayah) State.
Between June 6th and 8th, the Military Council gunned down 14 local villagers en masse near Mobye Pagoda. In addition another 12 civilians were tragically killed due to shelling carried out by the Military Council, according to Dr. Sasa’s statement.
The bodies of the civilians who were tragically killed by the Military Council have been already discovered. Disturbing video footage depicts a man being shot in the head within the Mobye Pagoda compound, while additional evidence reveals that three other individuals were forcibly made to kneel before being executed at close range.
Dr. Sasa urged, “It is imperative that both the Military Council responsible for the massacre, be held accountable for the heinous crimes against humanity they have committed. “We call upon
the international community, particularly Myanmar's neighbouring countries, to use all available means to put an end to these acts of crimes against humanity and ensure that the perpetrators face justice”, he wrote in the statement.
According to the NUG’s Minister Dr Sasa this atrocious act, is also an “act of genocide”. However
International law defines “genocide as the persecution and killing of a specific ethnic group,” based on mass murder of people of different ethnic groups as political persecution regardless of ethnicity. Hence the legally correct term for holding the Junta accountable since the 2021 coup, is the equally heinous “Crimes Against Humanity,” and may also be prosecuted as specific war crimes.
Based on the reports from the Karen Human Rights Group (KnHRG) and local organizations in Mobye offering aid to displaced individuals, the count of civilians who have lost their lives or gone missing in the region has increased to 35 since May 27.
The soldiers of the Military Council engaged in the arrest and shooting of individuals attempting to escape the war, target local residents trapped in their own homes, and carry out indiscriminate shelling, leading to a significant loss of civilian lives. U Banyar, the founder of KnHRG, has categorically stated that these actions constitute war crimes that are unforgivable and vehemently condemned.
"Forgiving and forgetting such actions is simply impossible. In order to prevent the recurrence of similar incidents, we must conduct a comprehensive retrospective investigation and ensure lawful punishment when changes come about in the future. We vehemently condemn these abhorrent violations of human rights”, he said.
Presently, several wards in Mobye Township have witnessed the deployment of three Military Council columns, each consisting of approximately 80 soldiers..
The People's Defense Force - Mobye has issued a cautionary notice to the local population, urging them to remain vigilant and prioritize their security, as the military situation in Mobye remains tense with intense daily battles ongoing.
Mobye, a town with an approximate population of 30,000, comprises 14 wards. The ongoing conflict continues in various wards, including Sikar, Nyaungwine, Pwekone, and certain sections of Union Road.
As per the announcement made by the Institute for Strategy and Policy - Myanmar (ISP - Myanmar) on May 14th, a total of 748 civilians have tragically lost their lives in the conflict during the first five months of this year. Among the affected regions, Karenni State ranks as the third most impacted area, while Sagaing Region records the highest number of civilian casualties.
