FBR REPORT: DKBA
troops threaten to shell Thai villagers if they do not supply food
in support of attack on refugees
Karen State, Burma
10 June, 2009
The Democratic Karen Buddhist Army, which fights alongside the Burma Army,
has threatened to shell Thai villagers if they do not supply food to them in
support of their attack on Ler Per Her refugee camp. Noh Bo village is a few
kilometers away from Ler Per Her camp on the Thai side of the Moei River.
Map showing area of Ler Per Her refugee camp
The DKBA and Burma Army began an attack on Ler Per Her refugee camp on June
7, raining shells on the area around the camp. The DKBA made the threat to shell
Noh Bo villagers after beginning shelling in Burma opposite Noh Bo at 8am on
June 8.
Villagers fleeing Ler Per Her refugee camp
On June 7, DKBA soldiers also launched an attack on the KNLA 7th Brigade Headquarters
opposite Mae Salik in Tak Province north of Mae Sot. The DKBA and Burma Army
soldiers have reinforced at Mae Tha Waw and are expected to continue attacking.
Partners Relief and Development and Free Burma Rangers are providing help to
some 3,521 refugees who have fled the camp at Ler Per Her. They are supplying
food, clothes, plastic, tarps and mosquito repellant. Villagers who have fled
are particularly facing problems with malaria, Acute Respiratory Infections
and diarrhea.
Villagers fleeing Ler Per Her refugee camp
24 soldiers from the Burma Army and Democratic Karen Buddhist Army have been
killed or injured in the fighting. In three days of fighting, no casualties
have been reported among the Karen National Liberation Army soldiers trying
to prevent them overrunning 7th Brigade HQ and Ler Per Her refugee camp. FBR
received reports that shelling lasted all day on June 9 and began again at 8am
on June 10, particularly in the areas opposite Noh Bo and around the 7th Brigade
Headquarters.
Villagers fleeing Ler Per Her refugee camp
More Attacks in Northern Karen State
Meanwhile in northern Karen State, the Burma Army attacked in the Ho Kee and
Ha To Per villages in Tantabin township, Toungoo district on June 5.
More than 100 villagers have fled into the jungle since the attack began. Khin
Maung Sin took over as commander of the Military Operation Command 5 and leader
of Kler Ler camp after the previous commander died.
Map showing area of Toungoo District attacks
Kler Ler camp, HQ for Burma Army Military Operation
Command 5
Villagers fleeing in Toungoo District
The Free Burma Ranger’s (FBR) mission is to provide hope, help and
love to internally displaced people inside Burma, regardless of ethnicity
or religion. Using a network of indigenous field teams, FBR reports on human
rights abuses, casualties and the humanitarian needs of people who are under
the oppression of the Burma Army. FBR provides medical, spiritual and educational
resources for IDP communities as they struggle to survive Burmese military
attacks.
