KNU Condemns Junta’s Fake Ceasefire as Attacks on Civilians Escalate Across Southeastern Burma

April 27, 2025

The Karen National Union (KNU) has strongly condemned the junta’s recent “ceasefire announcement,” calling it a deceptive move intended only to attract humanitarian aid flows through Naypyidaw while continuing brutal attacks on civilians. In a statement released on April 26, 2025, the KNU accused the junta of deliberately targeting civilian populations in towns and villages controlled by resistance forces, despite their ceasefire claims.

The KNU’s statement described the junta’s actions using a powerful idiom often referenced in Burmese politics: “hanging a goat’s head while selling dog meat” — accusing the junta of promoting peace on the surface while committing relentless violence in reality.

Between April 2 and April 22, 2025, during the junta’s supposed unilateral ceasefire, KNU-documented violations revealed that the junta carried out at least 110 separate human rights abuses across KNU-administered areas. These included:

63 aerial bombings using fighter jets, helicopters, and drones, resulting in the deaths of 14 civilians and one novice monk, injuries to three monks and 34 civilians, and the destruction of five monasteries and seven homes.
43 artillery attacks, killing five civilians, injuring 18 others, and damaging at least 16 houses.
The deliberate burning of homes and religious buildings, with four homes and one pagoda destroyed by arson.
The arbitrary arrest of two civilians and landmine injuries to another two civilians from junta-planted explosives.

The KNU emphasized that, far from seeking genuine peace, the junta is engaging in false and deceptive practices to manipulate the international community, donors, and humanitarian organizations.

“They have weaponized humanitarian aid, aiming to route all assistance through their control while continuing to kill and oppress their own people daily,” said a former Mon politician from Mawlamyine. “Since their military coup, and even after disasters like the Sagaing earthquake, the junta’s priority has been not the welfare of the people, but legitimizing their rule and preserving their power.”

He further stressed that international leaders, ASEAN members, and global donors must clearly recognize the junta’s tactics and stop legitimizing the military regime through aid channels they control.

Meanwhile, on April 26, 2025, junta forces launched yet another aerial attack on Kanni Village, Kyon Doe Town, Kawkareik Township, Karen State. Despite no fighting in the area, a junta drone dropped a bomb directly onto a civilian home, seriously injuring a 50-year-old male resident whose leg had to be amputated. He is currently receiving urgent medical care.

This marks the third time the junta has deliberately bombed Kanni Village civilians without any active clashes, exposing a ruthless and escalating pattern of violence since the Burmese New Year period.

Reflecting on the worsening crisis, a humanitarian worker from Brigade 6, providing relief in Karen areas, said:

“The crimes committed by the junta against innocent civilians must be brought before the International Criminal Court (ICC). No dictator escapes justice forever. It is time for international leaders, including ASEAN, to stop working through junta-controlled channels. Instead, they must directly support community-based organizations, ethnic service providers, and CSOs who are genuinely serving the people on the ground.”

The calls for accountability and a shift in international humanitarian strategy are growing louder as the junta’s systematic abuse of civilians continues unchecked.

Written by HURFOM · Filed Under News