By John Quinley III
A closer look at the violence in this part of a country in transition.
Last week, the Shan Human Rights Foundation (SHRF) called for an end to fighting in Shan State and hit out at Myanmar’s army for bombing schools, shooting at civilians, and using rape as a weapon of war.
Chronic fighting has taken place in Kachin and Shan State in Northern Myanmar in recent weeks, with air attacks and skirmishes displacing thousands of civilians. Even in ceasefire areas, the Myanmar Army has not withdrawn its troops.
“These allegations, if true, are reprehensible, and we urge the Government of Burma to undertake a credible, independent investigation into these allegations, and to hold perpetrators accountable for their actions,” said Katina Adams, a spokeswoman for the U.S. State Department, according to Reuters.
The recent Myanmar Army offensive has displaced over 10,000 from Ke See, Mong Hsu, and Mong Nawng townships and other regions. Since October, seven out of the fifteen non-state ethnic armies have refused to sign a ceasefire agreement, including the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) and the Shan State Army-North (SSA-North). This refusal has led to an aggressive offensive by the Myanmar Army.
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