Weekly Update in HURFOM Targeted Areas [Third Week of January 2022]

January 24, 2022

HURFOM: Over the last week, fighting in Karen State led to increased displacement as over 250 villagers were forced to flee to areas controlled by the Karen National Union. The indiscriminate firing targeted innocent villagers in the midst of uncontrolled attacks by the military junta.

The junta’s indiscriminate firing is continuing against local civilians in Kawkareik Township, Karen State. The reporter network said that at around 3:30 am on January 17, two residents from Ward No.1, Kawkareik town, were injured in an unprovoked shooting by soldiers. There were two cases of victims with bullet wounds. The numbers of injuries may be higher but there have been no casualties reported. “We are facing many difficulties. We cannot go out and buy food for our families. Soldiers are firing often,” said a 45-year-old Karen woman.

Civilians who have committed no crimes are being arbitrary arrested in the middle of night. Victims are treated unlawfully during their forced abductions where neighbours have reported hearing screams of those being taken away.

A local from Shwe Pyi Thar – 3 Rd, Hpa-an, Karen State said junta troops raided at least 3 houses and abducted three civilians, including a woman 10:30PM. The woman screamed loudly. The troops might have beaten her. The reasons for the arrests are unknown.

Junta forces in Khaung-Tai-Pyin village, Dawei, arbitrarily arrested 10 villagers and used these civilians as human shields during a raid. The army suspected the PDF armed forces were located near Kaung-Tai-Pyin village, according to local sources.

The situation on the ground is worsening daily as more IDPs attempt to flee to bordering countries in desperate search of safety and security.

In addition to mounting arbitrary arrests and fuelled displacement, two journalists in HURFOM target areas were also arrested this week. Twelve motorcycles were confiscated in southern Ye township, and northern Yebyu. In additional three cases, junta soldiers demanded a ransom of 100 000 Myanmar Kyat each for the motorcycles to be released.

Written by HURFOM · Filed Under Analysis, News