Human Rights Violations Increase in Karenni After Junta Military Resumes Operations

Human rights violations in Karenni State increased in June following the junta’s renewed military operations on the Karenni battlefront in May, according to the monthly report released by the Karenni Human Rights Group (KnHRG). The junta’s counteroffensive is continuing its efforts to regain territorial control along the central transportation corridor of Karenni State via the Pinlaung–Pekhon–Moebye Union Highway in southern Shan State. The military also remains dominant on the nearly 77-mile Union Highway connecting Moebye, Loikaw, Demoso, Hpruso, and Bawlakhe. As a result, some sections of the Demoso–Hpruso–Bawlakhe road, which were previously used for transportation and trade, have been closed. Meanwhile, local residents say that road conditions have worsened significantly, with the Maese–Demoso trade route experiencing the worst road and bridge damage seen in more than five years since the military coup. “Some of the main roads we used before are no longer accessible. Now, as it’s the rainy season, we have to travel through forest roads, so journeys take much longer. What used to be a one-day trip now takes a week or even ten days. Everything has become much more difficult. Recently, drone attacks have increased, and airstrikes have resumed as well,” said a displaced woman from Demoso Township. In May, human rights records were compiled alongside military operations by junta forces across Hpruso, Demoso, Bawlakhe, Hpasawng, Hsihseng, Pinlaung, and Pekhon townships. According to the report, Hpruso Township recorded the highest number of civilian casualties and home destructions. Farmers in Hpruso Township also reported that the military has been conducting continuous drone surveillance. Some farmers working in their fields have been injured by shrapnel from drone-dropped bombs, while ongoing attacks have delayed crop cultivation during the planting season. At present, no military movements by junta forces have been observed in the southern Karenni townships of Bawlakhe and Hpasawng. However, revolutionary forces say clashes continue in Moebye and Pekhon, located along the Shan–Karenni border in the northwestern part of the region. According to KnHRG’s records, the military carried out airstrikes 1 time in May 1 and 14 times in June, artillery attacks 5 times in May and 7 times in June, drone attacks 3 times in May and 6 times in June, civilian arrests 3 times in May and 2 times in June, shooting civilians 1 time in May, civilian killing by shooting 1 time in May, arson attacks 5 times in May and 1 time in June, and landmine incidents 1 time in May. The report also states that two civilians were killed and ten injured in May. In June, three civilians, including a child, were killed, while seventeen others were injured.