Burma army planes attack KIO positions near rebel capital

Four fighter jets and two helicopters took part in an air assault on rebel positions near Laiza, the Kachin Independence Organization's de facto capital, on Friday morning. Throughout the morning military planes struck KIO positions in Lajayang, a key town located less than 10 miles south of Laiza.

12 Burma army soldiers die in two clashes with KIA in Waingmaw

A MEMBER OF SNIPER FORCE IN KIA BATTLION 5.

A dozen Burma army soldiers died yesterday morning during heavy fighting with the Kachin Independence Army's (KIA) Battalion 3 in Waingmaw (or Waimaw) township in eastern Kachin State, according to officials from the KIA and local residents.

KIA forces raid police station in Hpakant

KAMAING, BURMA — Early Tuesday morning troops from the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) carried out a raid on a federal police station in Kamaing village in western Kachin State's jade rich Hpakant (also Hpakan) township.

KIO attack seriously damages Burma Army helicopter

A MI-8 HELICOPTER WITH PLUMES OF SMOKE BELLOWING OUT OF IT, BELONGING TO THE BURMA ARMY WAS DAMAGED CONSIDERABLY AFTER BEING SHOT AT BY THE KIA ON FRIDAY.

Senior officials with the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) claim that a Mi-8 helicopter belonging to the army was damaged considerably after being shot at by the KIA on Friday.  The Russian built helicopter was last seen heading in the direction of Myitkyina with plumes of smoke bellowing out of it after having receiving sustained fire from KIA troops on the ground in Lajayang.

KIO captures 7 government soliders after fighting at Lajayang

THE BODY OF BURMA ARMY SOLDIER  WHO DIED IN THE FIGHTING ON FRIDAY NEAR LAJAYANG. PHOTO: KACHIN NEWS GROUP

THE BODY OF BURMA ARMY SOLDIER  WHO DIED IN THE FIGHTING ON FRIDAY NEAR LAJAYANG. PHOTO: KACHIN NEWS GROUP

Forces loyal to the Kachin Independence Organization (KIO) captured 7 Burma army soldiers following heavy fighting at Lajayang on Friday, according to senior KIO officers reached by the Kachin News Group.

Swedish minister says weapons found in Kachin state came via India

PHOTO OF A SWEDISH MADE 84MM M3 CARL GUSTAV LAUNCHER, SHELLS AND A BURMESE LANGUAGE USERS MANUAL CAPTURED BY KIA FORCES IN AUGUST FOLLOWING A RETREAT BY BURMA FORCES IN HPAKANT.

Speaking in Parliament on Thursday Sweden's Trade Minister Ewa Bjorling confirmed that the Swedish made M-3 Carl Gustav anti-tank weapons recently captured from Burma's military by the Kachin Independence Organization (KIO) did not come directly from Sweden.

Fierce fighting between Burma army and KIO resumes at Lajayang

A BUDDHIST TEMPLE IN LAJAYANG VILLAGE WHERE THE BODIES OF BURMESE SOLDIERS ARE PUT.

LAJAYANG, BURMA --- Heavy fighting between government troops and forces loyal to the Kachin Independence Organization (KIO) broke out before dawn this morning at Lajayang near the KIO's Laiza headquarters.

Burma army sends fresh troops to Indian border in fight against KIO

MAP OF WESTERN KACHIN STATE:BURMA ARMY SENDS FRESH TROOPS TO INDIAN BORDER IN FIGHT AGAINST KIO

Since the beginning of December Burma’s army has sent hundreds of troops to a remote region along Kachin State’s border with India to face off against forces from the Kachin Independence Organization (KIO), according to eyewitnesses in the area.

Burma army using Swedish made weapons in Kachin conflict

KIO TROOPS HOLD SWEDISH MADE M-3 CARL GUSTAV LAUNCHER THAT WAS SEIZED IN AUGUST OF THIS YEAR AFTER GOVERNMENT TROOPS LEFT IT BEHIND.

Burma's armed forces have been using Swedish made M-3 Carl Gustav anti-tank weapons against the Kachin Independence Organization (KIO) as part of the army's ongoing offensive in northern Burma, according to veteran journalist and Burma expert Bertil Lintner.

KIO retakes post in Pangwa area from Burma army

A BURMESE MILITARY TRANSPORT HELICOPTER FLEW TO PANGWA FROM MYITKYINA NORTHERN COMMAND IN EARLY THIS WEEK.PHOTO:KACHIN NEWS GROUP

The Kachin Independence Army (KIA) retook a front-line post held by Burma's military in the Pangwa region (also Pangwah, Pan Wah) of eastern Kachin State on Monday after 9 days of fighting, according to KIA officials reached at the group's Laiza headquarters.

Chinese firms still pillaging Kachin forests report reveals

CHINESE TRUCKS LOADING TIMBER FROM KACHIN STATE OF NORTHERN BURMA TEMPORARY STOPPED AT NONGDAO CAMP OPPOSITE NBAPA IN KACHIN STATE. PHOTO: KACHIN NEWS GROUP

CHINESE TRUCKS LOADING TIMBER FROM KACHIN STATE OF NORTHERN BURMA TEMPORARY STOPPED AT NONGDAO CAMP OPPOSITE NBAPA IN KACHIN STATE. PHOTO: KACHIN NEWS GROUP

A report released last month by the UK based Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) says Chinese firms are continuing to heavily log the mountains of Kachin State and then illegally export teak logs across the border. This despite restrictions imposed by both the Burmese and Chinese governments to curb the underground cross border trade in timber.

RFA KACHIN LANGUAGE PROGRAM, DEC. 2nd WEEK, 2012

RFA KACHIN LANGUAGE PROGRAM, DEC. 2nd WEEK, 2012

Global think tank honors Thein Sein, ignores Kachin state war crimes allegations

BURMA ARMY'S MORTAR SHELL KILED THREE INNOCENT KACHIN CIVILIANS IN MAW MAU BUM IN HPAKANT JADE-RICH TOWNSHIP, WESTERN KACHIN STATE.

In recognition of President Thein Sein's “bold and visionary reform initiatives” the International Crisis Group (ICG), dubbed the world's largest think tank, will bestow the ex-general turned civilian politician with its annual Pursuit of Peace Award next April.

UN calls for access to Kachin refugees in KIO area

TWO BURMESE SOLDIERS (RIGHT) AND KACHIN REFUGEE CAMPS IN PANGSAI IN NORTHERN SHAN STATE NEAR CHINA BORDER WERE BURNED DOWN BY THE GOVERNMENT SOLLIERS OF IB NO.240 ON NOV.28. PHOTO: KACHIN NEWS.
 

During her visit to Burma this week the United Nation's Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, Valerie Amos, publicly urged Burma's government to allow the UN to resume aid shipments to refugee camps in non-government controlled parts of Kachin state held by the Kachin Independence Organization (KIO).

RFA KACHIN LANGUAGE PROGRAM, DEC. 1st WEEK, 2012

RFA KACHIN LANGUAGE PROGRAM, DEC. 1st WEEK, 2012

Kachin refugee camp burned down by Burma Army

A CELL PHONE PHOTO CAPTURED THIS IMAGE OF SMOKE RISING FROM A REFUGEE CAMP AT PANGSAI WHICH LOCAL RESIDENTS SAY WAS BURNED TO THE GROUND BY THE BURMA ARMY.

MUSE, BURMA --- Troops from Burma's military operating in northern Shan state set an internally displaced person's (IDP) camp on fire on Wednesday. The camp located near Pangsai was almost completely destroyed according to eyewitnesses who described the perpetrators as being from the army's Infantry Battalion No. 240.

Burma army artillery expert dies in Hpakant accident

105MM MORTAR AND BURMESE SOLDIER.

HPAKANT, BURMA — Four Burma army personnel, including an artillery expert, died last week following a munitions accident at a military base in Kachin state's jade rich Hpakant (also Hpakan, Phakant) district, the Kachin News Group has learned.

UN assembly concerned about Kachin conflict and Rohingya

UN ASSEMBLY CONCERNED ABOUT KACHIN CONFLICT AND ROHINGYA

A resolution passed on Monday by the 193 member third committee of the United Nations General Assembly reiterated the International community's growing concern about human rights abuses in Kachin and Arakan (Rakhine) state.

Kachin warlord turned Burma MP arms BGF troops at ceremony

ZAHKUNG TING YING (SATED WITH HAT), UPPER HOUSE MP AND FORMER NDA-K CHIEF AT TENDING AN AUGUST 16 CEREMONY WHERE GUNS WERE DISTRIBUTED TO TROOPS FROM THE BORDER GUARD FORCE.

 ZAHKUNG TING YING (SATED WITH HAT), UPPER HOUSE MP AND FORMER NDA-K CHIEF AT TENDING AN AUGUST 16 CEREMONY WHERE GUNS WERE DISTRIBUTED TO TROOPS FROM THE BORDER GUARD FORCE.

ZAHKUNG TING YING (SATED WITH HAT), UPPER HOUSE MP AND FORMER NDA-K CHIEF AT TENDING AN AUGUST 16 CEREMONY WHERE GUNS WERE DISTRIBUTED TO TROOPS FROM THE BORDER GUARD FORCE.

Photos have surfaced that appear to show Zahkung Ting Ying (also Za Khun Ting Ring) , longtime leader of the now defunct New Democratic Army-Kachin (NDA-K), actively participating in an August 16 ceremony where weapons were distributed to his former NDA-K subordinates now serving in the government's Border Guard Force (BGF).

Kachin chief minister's critics arrested

PDP'S OFFICE WAS OPENED IN KACHIN STATE'S CAPITAL MYITKYINA IN AUGUST. PHOTO: kACHIN NEWS GROUP

Five senior members of the People Democracy Party (PDP), a small opposition group, were arrested last month after the party publicly accused Kachin state chief minister Lajawn Ngan Seng (also spelled La John Ngan Hsai) of corruption. The arrested party leaders were reportedly charged with incitement and defamation after party literature was printed accusing Ngan Hsai and his deputies of soliciting bribes from Myitkyina area motorbike salesman and organizers of the annual Manau festival.

US Congressman: Army atrocities in Kachin state could be war crimes

ARIZONA CONGRESSMAN TRENT FRANKS.

“The atrocities committed against the Kachin by the Burma Army may amount to war crimes or crimes against humanity” says Arizona congressman Trent Franks, co-chairman of the International Religious Freedom Caucus. The conservative Republican lawmaker's comments appeared in an op-ed published by the Washington Times newspaper on Monday.

Activists urge Obama to end funding for sham Kachin tiger reserve

YUZANA COMPANY'S FACTORY ZONE IN TIGER RESERVE.

A group of Kachin environmental activists and displaced Kachin farmers sent US President Barack Obama an open letter this week urging his government to cut all financial support for Kachin state's Hukaung (also Hugawng) valley tiger reserve, according to a press release issued by the Kachin Development Networking Group (KDNG).

Nov. 19 UNA Open Letter to President Obama

KACHIN INDEPENDENCE ARMY, THE LAST NON-CEASEFIRE GROUP IN BURMA. PHOTO: KACHIN NEWS GROUP

United Nationalities Alliance

Statement

November 19, 2012                                        Yangon, Myanmar

•We, the United Nationalities Alliance, observe Burma's transition to democracy is not up to the standard yet. We believe that it is still early to lift all the sanctions imposed while in a transition
period as hundreds of political prisoners still remain in jail.

Obama's Burma visit overshadows army's continued war crimes in Kachin state

BURMESE DEMOCRACY LEADER SUU KYI AND U.S PRESIDENT OBAMA.

President Barack Obama's visit to Burma on Monday, the first ever trip by a sitting US president, has been hailed by numerous western commentators as further proof that the country long ruled by military dictatorship has undergone real democratic change.

Nov. 15 Kachin letter to President Obama

November 15th, 2012
Barack Obama
President of the United States of America
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW; Washington, DC 20500

Ex-NLD MP urges Obama to skip Burma visit citing Kachin conflict

DUWA MARAN ZAU AWNG, FORMER NLD MEMBER. PHOTO: KACHIN NEWS GROUP

Exiled Kachin politician Duwa Maran Zau Awng recently sent US president Barack Obama an open letter urging that he not visit Burma next week because of the military's ongoing offensive in Kachin state. According to human rights groups the military’s campaign against the Kachin Independence Organization (KIO) has seen the army commit numerous atrocities against Kachin civilians.

7 Burma army soldiers die in two separate clashes with KIA

BURMA ARMY'S MILITARY GAME.

Seven soldiers from Burma's military are believed to have died on Monday following clashes with the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) in two separate places in northern Kachin state, according KIA sources.

Burma Army solider accused of raping Kachin woman

A BURMESE SOLDER TAKES POSITION AT KACHIN CULTURAL MANAU FESTIVAL IN MYITKYINA LAST YEAR. PHOTO: KACHIN NEWS GROUP

KAMAING, BURMA — A soldier from Burma's military is alleged to have raped an ethnic Kachin woman on October 30 at Hka San village in Kamaing (or Kamai) sub-township, according to a friend of the victim.

Burma army sends scores of reinforcements to Kachin State

A BURNESE MILITARY HELICOPTER TRANSPORTED TROOPS AND WEAPONS TO HPAKANT JADE MINE IN AUGUST. PHOTO: KACHIN GROUP

MYITKYINA, BURMA – This week saw Burma's military send hundreds of reinforcements to Kachin state, in preparation for an apparent renewed offensive against positions held by the Kachin Independence Organization (KIO).  A total of three train loads of reinforcements arrived in Myitkyina on Tuesday and Wednesday, according to eyewitness at the Kachin state capital.

Burma army major, 7 soldiers die in battle with KIA in Shan State

WEAPONS AND  UNIFORMS OF BURMA ARMY WHICH WERE RECENTLY CAPTURED IN KACHIN STATE BY KIA.

A major from Burma's military and seven soldiers under his command died on Monday following clashes with the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) at Dung Waw in Northern Shan State, according to a Kachin resistance commander on the frontline.

Kachin youth hold peace conference

ON NOV.3,KACHIN YOUTH HELD THE PEACE CONFERENCE IN WAINGMAW TOWNSHIP IN KACHIN STATE, NORTHERN BURMA.

MYITKYINA, BURMA — Kachin youth who aspire for peace in their war-torn state held a conference near Myitkyina over the weekend. According to organizers the conference was the first of its kind to be held in Kachin state since fighting between Burma's military and the Kachin Independence Organization (KIO) erupted last year.

Burma govt still refuses KIO request for Panglong related dialogue

KIO CHAIRMAN LANYAW ZAWNG HRA (LEFT) AND BURMESE PRESIDENT THEN SEIN

Last week's round of talks between Burma's government and the Kachin Independence Organization (KIO) failed to achieve much of an agreement on anything, according to KIO sources.

Burma army shelling injures 3 boys in Kachin state

TWO KIA SOLDIERS ON SENG JA BUM IN HPAKANT JADE MINE, WESTERN KACHIN STATE . PHOTO: KACHIN NEWS GROUP

Three young civilians were injured on Friday after shells fired by the Burma army hit Nbala Hka village in the Hpakant jade district of Kachin state, according to local residents.

Rapporteur calls for UN access to IDP in Kachin State

TOMAS OJIA QUINTANA ARRIVED IN RANGOON, THE FOMER CAPITAL OF BURMA ON JULY 29,2012.

Speaking at a press conference at the United Nations headquarters in New York on Thursday, Tomás Ojea Quintana, the Special Rapporteur for human rights in Burma called on Thein Sein's government to grant the UN and its agencies unimpeded access to all areas of Burma including parts of Kachin State not controlled by the government.

Burma army troops steal from Kachin villagers

 KAMAING, BURMA — Troops from the Army's Light Infantry Division No. 88 stole valuable jewelry from a Kachin woman Sunday evening during military operations at her village in western Kachin state, according to the woman's neighbors.

KIO peace talks on hold for now

BURMESE GOVERNMENT PEACE NEGOTIATOR AUNG MIN(LEFT) AND KIO VICE CHIEF-OF-STAFF BRIG-GEN GUN MAW

The Myanmar Times newspaper reported on Monday that the next round of proposed peace talks between Burma's government and the Kachin Independence Organization (KIO) will not go ahead because of a disagreement over who the KIO would be negotiating with. The KIO is said to have rejected a suggested meeting with Burma's military the Tatmadaw because the group wants to meet with the government directly.

Entire population of Kachin village flees after Burma army moves in

AN IDP IN A KACHIN BAPTIST CHURCH IN HPAKANT JADE MINE, WESTERN KACHIN STATE. PHOTO: KACHIN NEWS GROUP

Intimidation and threats of violence from Burma government troops forced the entire of population of Nam Si In village in western Kachin state to flee over the weekend, according to villagers who recently escaped.

Burma army shoots child inside Chinese refugee camp

PANGWA AND DISSOLVED NDA-K LEADER ZAHKUNG TING YING.

 A 7-year boy sheltering at a temporary refugee inside China suffered serious injuries after being hit by bullets reportedly fired by Burmese soldiers stationed across the border inside Kachin state on October 15, according to eyewitnesses who spoke to the Kachin News Group (KNG).

Burma Army shelling kills three Kachin civilians in Hpakant

A WOUNDED VILLAGER CARRIED AWAY FROM MAW MAU BUM IN KACHIN STATE. HE WAS INURED AFTER THE ARMY SHELLED HIS VILAGE.

HPAKANT, BURMA — Army shelling in the Hpakant jade mining district of western Kachin state killed three Kachin civilians Wednesday evening, according to local residents.

The deaths occurred after Burmese forces fired a series of 81 mm mortar rounds at Maw Mau Bum, a Kachin Independence Organization (KIO) controlled village located about 3 miles west of Hpakant (or Hpakan, Phakant). Fatally wounded by the shelling were Kala Tu Awng 31, Magawng Naw San 30 and Gumraw Tang Gun 33, a relative of one of the deceased told the Kachin News Group.

Argument between Burma army officers turns deadly in N.Shan State

A BURMESE SOLDIER GUARDS GUARDS NAM SA BRIDGE NEAR TAMONYE IN NORTHERN SHAN STATE.

A heated disagreement among two officers in the Burmese army turned deadly on October 12, leading to the deaths of 3 army personnel and a local guide at Mung Lung in the Mongkoe (Munggu) region of Northern Shan State, the Kachin News Group has learned.

KIA says 211 army soldiers die in two-month fighting in Hpakant

LT-COL. NHKUM ZAU DOI, COMMANDER OF KIA BATTALION 6 IN HPAKANT JATE LAND.

 A senior commander in the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) claimed on Sunday that 211 government soldiers have been killed and 36 injured over the past two months during heavy fighting in the Hpakant (or Hpakan or Phakant) jade mining district of western Kachin state.

The figures were given by Lt-Col. Nhkum Zau Doi, commander of KIA Battalion 6 during a speech he gave in a Kachin Baptist church in Hpakant.

More Burma army forces fall in battle in jade rich Hpakant

A BURMESE SOLDIER SECURES KACHIN CULTURAL MANAU PARK IN MYITKYINA. THE CAPITAL OF KACHIN STATE, NORTHERN BURMA. PHOTO:KACHIN NEWS GROUP

HPAKANT, BURMA — At least 6 Burmese soldiers were killed and as many as 15 injured Tuesday following two separate attacks by the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) in the jade rich Hpakant region of western Kachin state, according to local KIA officials.

3 Burma soldiers die after clash with KIA in Shan state

KIA TROOPS IN  MONGKOE AREA, NORTHERN SHAN STATE.

Three soldiers from Burma's military died on Monday following bloody clashes with the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) in the Mongkoe (or Munggu) area of northern Shan state, according to local residents.

Thein Sein denies claims of army abuses in Kachin state

BBC HARDTALK TV INTERVIEWED PRESIDET THEIN ON SEPT.2.

Burma's President Thein Sein in an interview with the BBC's Hardtalk TV program that aired last week, dismissed claims that Burma's military has committed human rights abuses against civilians in Kachin state.

Rights group calls charges to be dropped against Kachin peace protesters

This week Human Rights Watch (HRW) called on the Burmese government to drop all charges against 13 activists who organized a September 21 peace day demonstration in Rangoon and Myitkyina.

KIA trains Arakanese recruits

A GRADUATE RECEIVES AN OUTSTANDING AWARD IN THE BASIC TRAINING. PHOTO: KACHIN NEWS GROUP

Last week Kachin Independence Army's Battalion 6 based in the war torn Hpakant (Hpakan) region of Kachin State concluded a short training program for new recruits which included 29 soldiers from the Arakanese (Rakhine) ethnic group.  Some of the Arakanese volunteers appeared to be workers who previously toiled in the Hpakant's areas numerous jade mines.

Activists demand justice for abducted Kachin women

SUMLUT ROI JA'S WEDDING PHOTO. SHE IS THE WOMEN WHO WAS ABDUCTED BY SOLDIERS LAST OCTOBER, HER HUSBAND'S ATTEMPT TO HAVE HER CASE HEARD IN COURT WAS THROWN OUT.

Last week the Kachin Women's Association of Thailand (KWAT) sent President Thein Sein an open letter demanding that he authorize a re-trial for a court challenge launched by the family of Sumlut Roi Ja, a Kachin woman arrested by government forces in eastern Kachin state last year.

Kachin exiles condemn Suu Kyi's silence on conflict

BURMESE DEMOCRACY LEADER SUU KYI RECEIVED THE US CONGESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL IN WASHINGTON ON SEPT,19.

Burmese opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi's recent claim that she was refraining from commenting on the army's ongoing conflict with the Kachin Independence Organization because she does not want to inflame the situation, brought a swift rebuke from an international coalition of Kachin exiles, who heavily criticized the NLD leader in an open letter sent on Thursday.