KIA loses Shan post following Burma army attack

A Burmese army tank takes position in outskirt of Myitkyina, the capital of Kachin state, northern Burma

The Kachin Independence Army (KIA) was forced to abandon a front line post in Shan state following a heavy offensive by government forces on January 25th, according to KIA officials.

Burma army killing of Kachin teachers a war crime says ethnic armed alliance

Khun Okker, general secretary-1 of UNFC, the 12-ethnic armed alliance of Burma

Burma's largest armed ethnic alliance, the United Nationalities Federal Council (UNFC) criticized the government for its handling of an investigation into the rape and murder of two Kachin volunteer school teachers in northern Shan State. According to the UNFC, the act which many believe was carried out by Burma army personnel, was a war crime. The strongly worded statement released this week also called on the government to stop such war crimes from being carried out in future.

Burma army sends reinforcements to Kachin state's Hpakant

The KIA-constructed Uru Hka River bridge in Hpakant, the Kachin jade-rich town in northern Burma

A large number of Burma army troop reinforcements arrived in Kachin state's jade rich Hpakant township over the past week, the Kachinnews has learned, this following the heavy fighting that took place there last week between government forces and the Kachin Independence Army (KIA).

Slain Kachin teachers deserve justice says 88' student leader

Mya Aye

Former political prisoner and famous '88 generation Student Leader Mya Aye says that there must be justice for the two slain teachers who were raped and killed in northern Shan state earlier this month. The alleged perpetrators are believed to be Burmese soldiers stationed in the area. The case has drawn widespread attention across Burma and around the world.

Clashes between KIO and Burma army continue after police released

Clashes between the Kachin Independence Organization's (KIO) armed wing and the Burmese military continued in Kachin state this week, even after the KIO handed over three police officers who had been detained near Hpakant.

National Ceasefire unlikely by UNION Day, say NCCT reps

Representative members of the Nationwide Ceasefire Coordination Team (NCCT), a group that includes most of Burma's armed rebel groups, say that is very unlikely that a nationwide ceasefire agreement could be reach by Union Day on February 12th

Alleged army rape and murder of 2 Kachin teachers fuels anger

Outraged villagers gather in northern Shan state in response to the alleged rape and murder of 2 Kachin teachers by the army.  (Photo courtesy anonymous)

Extremely graphic photos of the bloodied and naked bodies of two Kachin volunteer teachers, who were allegedly raped and murdered by the army in northern Shan state, have circulated widely among the Kachin community over the past 24 hours.

Burma army blocks access to trapped villagers in Kachin state's Hpakant

Burma army's LID 66 soldiers (left) and KIA battalion 6 soldiers in Hpakant, western Kachin state, northern Burma

Burma army forces blocked a delegation of church leaders and prominent businessmen from visiting villagers trapped by the fighting in Kachin state's jade rich Hpakant district, a member of the delegation tells the Kachinnews. Lamai Gum Ja, a member of the Peace-talk Creation Group (PCG), a committee comprised of prominent Kachin businessmen who are assisting the peace process told Kachinnews that his group wanted to meet the villagers as they are worried about the villagers well being.

Fighting resumes between KIO and Burma Army in Kachin and Shan states

Burma Army's LID 66 soldiers take position near KIA Awng Ba Lay post in Hpakant jade mine, western Kachin state of Burma

Troops from the Kachin Independence Organization's (KIO) armed wing have clashed repeatedly with government forces in both Kachin and northern Shan states over last few days. The clashes come ahead of a renewed push by President Thein Sein to secure a National Ceasefire agreement by the February 12th Union Day holiday.

Refugee children face severe health problems from cold

Children are facing severe health problems due to the extreme cold at Hpre refugee camp in the area controlled by the Kachin Independence Organization (KIO) according to Salang Kaba Doi Pyi Sa, head of KIO’s IDP and Refugee Relief Committee (IRRC).

Kachin Manau festival goes on despite boycott

Government-controlled Kachin Manau festival marking 67th anniversary of Kachin state day on Jan 10

The Kachin State government held a traditional Kachin Manau festival this past week on the 67th annual Kachin state day. The Manau which involves ceremonial dance leaders guiding participants in complicated pattern around the traditional Manau polls, went ahead as planned despite the fact that many Kachin made clear their intention to boycott due to the government's handling of the ongoing Kachin conflict.

Kachin culture group boycotts Manau festival in Myitkyina

Jan 10, 2015 67th anniversary of Kachin State Day

The Kachin Culture and Literature Committee declined an invitation from government authorities to participate in the 67th Kachin State Day Manau dance festival, senior committee member Yaw Sam tells the Kachinnews. The government had asked that the group provide 100 persons representing the various Kachin sub-group to attend in their respective traditional dress.

Citing security concerns KIO delays New Year celebrations

 Lanyaw Zawng Hra, KIO Chairman

The Kachin Independence Organization (KIO) held a New Year's prayer service at the group's Laiza headquarters on January 3rd. The usual Christmas and New Year events planned for the KIO area were delayed due to security concerns stemming from the recent increase in tensions with the army.

Fire destroys more than 100 homes in Kachin refugee camp

 Shing Chyai Kachin IDP camp was destroyed by fire on Dec. 29, 2014. Photo: Kachin Baptist Convention (KBC)

A massive fire destroyed over 100 houses and supplies of food aid at the Shing Chyai Kachin Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp in eastern Kachin state's Sadung township on December 29th. The camp located in Raw Bum division was home to about 180 refugees families displaced by the ongoing conflict in Kachin state. The camp is based in government controlled territory very near to an area controlled by the Kachin Independence Organisation (KIO).