WEEKLY DISPATCH | Sep 13, 2024 | Free Burma Rangers

September 13, 2024

WEEKLY BURMA SUMMARY

Karenni Rangers brave gunfire and grenades to attempt a casualty rescue.

Ranger Teams Provide Medical Care and Supplies as Burma Army Attacks Continue

Ranger teams around the country work hard to provide relief, offering critical medical care to remote areas on the front lines. This week, a Karenni Ranger team crossed the border to aid those caught in a clash in Southern Shan state.

NORTHERN KAREN STATE

Left: Ruins of Lin Bin Wei School after it was damaged by Burma Army mortars.

Right: A KNLA soldier who was shot in the neck by the Burma Army.

On 31 August, Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) soldiers took over Ko Myint Tha Burma military camp, capturing over 200 sacks of rice and ammunition. The Burma military retaliated by shooting two villagers in Kyauk Tan Village and capturing others to use as human shields. On 2 September, during additional searches of Ko Myit Tha military camp, KNLA soldiers found more ammunition hidden in a well. On the same day, eager to take back the camp, the Burma military mortared the village, injuring civilians. Artillery and mortars have caused frequent injuries in Yedashe Township, including deaths in three villages. Rangers also documented a case of two people injured by a landmine.

CENTRAL KAREN STATE

Left: Rangers record damage from the Burma military Y-12 bombing, at Noh Cho Nae (Ahnangkwin) Village.

Right: Rangers help deliver water to the front lines.

In early September, Ahnangkwin Village saw significant military activity involving the KNLA and the Burma Army. On 1 September, a clash occurred near the Ahnangkwin Burma Army base. The following day, Rangers delivered needed water to the front line.

On 3 September, a Burma military Y-12 aircraft conducted bombing runs over Noh Cho Nae (Ahnangkwin) Village. The aircraft dropped 66 bombs from 1520 hours to 1543 hours. Rangers documented the bombing sites, including one that was near the Noh Cho Nae Basic Elementary School.

In addition, the KNLA managed to capture airdropped supplies from a Burma military Y-12 aircraft near the Ahnangkwin Burma Army base and Noh Cho Nae Village which included food and ammunition.

KARENNI STATE

Top: Destruction of the IDP camp caused by Burma Army bombs.

Bottom: Crater from a Burma Army bomb dropped on the IDP camp.

Burma military forces showcased their willingness to attack children by striking Bangkok IDP Camp in La Ei Village, Phe Khon Township. The camp was temporary home to 700 displaced people, including 500 children who live in the camp to study at a K-12 grade school run by 33 teachers. On 5 September at 2145 hours, Burma military jet fighters dropped two 500-pound bombs on the camp. The strikes killed nine displaced people, wounded many others, and damaged 20 temporary homes. These attacks have forced camp residents to relocate once again. Karenni Rangers helped treat wounded and move residents.

SOUTHERN SHAN STATE

Karenni Rangers evacuate and treat wounded resistance soldiers.

Karenni Rangers traveled out of their region to treat wounded soldiers from a multi-day clash in Southern Shan State. On 5 and 6 September, elements of five resistance groups conducted a joint offensive to liberate Loi Lem Lay and Htee Sel Khar villages. The Burma military employed 60mm mortars, jet planes, and drones armed with homemade bombs to support their ground troops. Resistance forces suffered 14 wounded and one dead. Burma military mortar and air strikes killed four civilians and wounded four in Loi Lem Lay, including a 13-year-old girl. Resistance forces gained control of the Htee Sel Khar police station, which served as the primary Burma Army command and control location for the battle and is a major toll road passing through Loi Lem Lay. Four Ranger medic teams provided frontline medical care and a Casualty Collection Point (CCP) in the rear. One of the medic teams attempted to recover one dead resistance soldier but was attacked by Burma Army soldiers with machine gun, sniper, and M-79 grenade launcher fire. Two Rangers suffered minor wounds.

IRAQ

Left: An FBR volunteer prepares boxes of food for distribution.

Right: Boxes of food ready for families in Kurdistan.

In Duhok, Kurdistan, on 5 September, our FBR Middle East team helped distribute 100 food boxes to underpriviledged families in collaboration with Joint Crisis Coordination (JCC) of the Kurdish Regional Government (KRG) and the nonprofit organization 5 Stones.

Each box, costing 38,000 IQD (around $25), feeds 7-10 people and contains essentials such as rice, cooking oil, tomato paste, sugar, and other food items.