One year after overthrowing Burma’s government, the regime has continued its attacks against civilian resistance groups fighting in the country’s borderlands to topple the dictatorship and restore democracy in the Southeast Asian country. On Saturday, the Burma Army (BA) launched airstrikes on the Pekon-based People’s Defence Force (PDF) after it attacked a BA camp in southern Shan State.
According to a PDF member, at least 10 BA soldiers were killed in the raid on their camp near Kong Sone, Pekon Township. The gunship fired on the resistance group while carrying away four injured fighters, two of whom sustained life-threatening injuries.
SHAN couldn’t independently confirm this information.
Fleeing daily regime bombardments in Loikaw and other areas of Karenni State, tens of thousands have sought refuge in southern Shan State. Of Karenni State’s 300,00 inhabitants, 170,000 have been displaced by the conflict since fighting started last May.
A man helping the displaced in Pinlaung Township told SHAN that they recently provided shelter for 100 new arrivals. ”It’s winter now and they desperately need warm clothes and food,” he said, declining to give his name.
Even before the fighting intensified in Karenni State in January, prompting many civilians to cross the border to flee violence, things were already looking pretty grim in Pekon Township. The fighting last October had displaced about 5,000 people from 8 villages. None of them has been able to return to their homes since then. The junta has cut off electricity, telephone and internet services and prevented food from reaching the township.
