FBR REPORT: Burma Army attacks IDPs and KNLA in Western Karen State
Karen State, Burma
25 September, 205

Attacks:

The Burma Army has launched three attacks against IDPs and the KNLA in Nyaunglebin District, Western Karen State between 18-21 September 2005.

One IDP was killed and hundreds have fled. At the same time the Burma Army has closed three main roads in Toungoo District (North of Nyaunglebin District), in an attempt to block all assistance from the villagers to the KNU/KNLA in that area. 

Attacks in Nyaunglebin District, Western Karen State

18 September:
Two Burma battalions, LIB 4 (columns 1+2) and IB12 (columns 1+2), under TOC 332 attacked KNLA forces at Kwee Koo, Kyauk Kyi (Ler Doh), Nyaunglebin, Western Karen State. During the attack one civilian IDP, Saw Tho Tha was killed by the Burma Army forces. IDPs have fled but the number is not yet known.

There were two attacks lasting 90 minutes.The Burma Army lost 3 killed and 4 wounded in this attack, KNLA casualties not yet confirmed. 21 September:Burma Army Battalions LIB 4 and IB 4, followed up thier earlier attacks by conducting a raid on the 9th KNLA battalion HQs in Ler Wa, Kyauk Kyi, Nyaunglebin. This is an area that many IDPs were sheltering in.One KNLA soldier was wounded in this attack and Burma Army casualties are unknown.There are over 400 IDPs in this area who are now in hiding. 

Toungoo District: September 2005

The Burma Army has closed three main roads in Toungoo District (North of Nyaunglebin District), in an attempt to block all rice supplies to IDPs and assistance from the villagers to the KNU/KNLA in that area.

The roads affected are;1) the Toungoo-Kler La- Mawchi road. 2) The Tantabin to Mon road. 3) The New Thandaung to Old Thandaung road.Civilian villagers report a loss of revenue as they can not transport their main crops here of : Durians, Dog Fruit and Mangosteen. Rice also can not be brought out from the plains of Toungoo and this is a serious problem as many IDPs rely on the purchase of rice from the Toungoo area.This is a deliberate attempt to starve the IDPs in the mountains north and west of Toungoo. It is also an attempt to put pressure on the KNU.