FBR REPORT: Burma Army now attacking villagers, burning rice barns and blocking access to fields during harvest in Northern Karen State Karen State, Burma 6 November 2007

On 6 November, the Burma Army repeatedly shelled rice fields in the Yeh Mu Plaw area of Muthraw District in the Northern Karen State. There are over 1,000 IDPs due to these attacks by Burma Army troops of Military Operations Command (MOC) 1 and Division 88. These two units have been attacking out of camps along the Kyauk Kyi-Hsaw Hta road beginning on 24 October and continuing through 6 November, 2007.

Nine villagers have been wounded and two have been killed in these attacks against villagers trying to harvest their rice. A woman and her thirteen year old daughter were captured earlier last week in this area and have been sent back to Division 88 headquarters. Their condition is unknown. The following is an update of these attacks.

The Burma Army is attacking in the Plaw Ko area north of the Thae Lo Klow river and Yeh Mu Plaw village.. The Burma Army is attempting to disrupt the harvest during this crucial time for local farmers. At present, 64 rice fields are being blocked and controlled by the Burma Army. On 3 November five rice barns were burned (belonging to Saw Dee Gay, Saw Ha Du, Saw Mu Gay, Saw Paw Tha, and Saw Shway Jo) and three paddy fields were been destroyed (belonging to Saw Hay Du, Saw Mu Gwey, and Saw Baw Tu Ha). The Burma Army is shelling the rice fields in order to keep villagers from returning to harvest. One group of soldiers from Tha Wa Jo camp entered the Yeh Mu Plaw village area but have since returned to their camp. Another group of soldiers from Plaw Ko are still in the area, but are North of the Thay Loh Klo river-this is a tributary of the Yunzalin River.

This unit is firing mortar rounds into the surrounding rice fields to keep villagers away and are patrolling the area as of this report. 10 p.m. 6 November 2007.

Backgound: These attacks are the most recent phase of an offensive that has displaced over 30,000 people and killed over 370 villagers in Northern Karen State from 2006 to present, 6 November, 2007

Thank you all for your care and help for these people,

God bless you,

The Free Burma Rangers.