Karenni State IEC calls for no-fly zone to prevent civilian casualties

The Karenni State Interim Executive Council (IEC) issued an appeal on Wednesday for the establishment of a no-fly zone to protect civilians from deaths and injuries caused by junta airstrikes. The body, which governs areas controlled by Karenni resistance forces, said the move was necessary due to the mounting death toll from the regime’s indiscriminate bombing of civilian targets. “Looking at recent deaths and losses, we can see that civilians are the most affected. The areas where bombs have been dropped are not near combat zones, but quite far away,” said Banyar Khun Aung, who serves as secretary 2 of the Karenni IEC. Figures shared by the Karenni IEC show that junta attacks killed a total of 62 civilians in resistance-held territories in Karenni State and southern Shan State in the first half of this year and injured another 208. International organisations must do more to pressure the regime on its airstrikes, including by cutting off its fuel supply for military aircraft, said Banyar Khun Aung. “We know it’s not easy. But this is the only way to protect civilians, by making such requests. We want international organisations to help,” he told Myanmar Now. In a statement released on July 1, the Progressive Karenni People Force put the total number of civilians killed in ethnic Karenni areas since the military coup in February 2021 at 757. Of these, 580 were killed by junta airstrikes and artillery fire, while 177 died attempting to flee the conflict, according to the group, which documents human rights violations in Karenni areas. The worst-hit areas have been those captured by resistance forces and subsequently retaken by the regime, including the town of Moebye in southern Shan State, which was recaptured last week. Due to recent fighting near Moebye, more than 40,000 people have fled to Loikaw and Demoso townships in Karenni State and are in need of humanitarian assistance, according to local aid providers. Currently, the regime is attempting to regain control of the road from Moebye to the Karenni capital Loikaw. With the support of the Pa-O National Army, an allied ethnic armed group, the military already controls the road from Loikaw to Hsihseng in southern Shan State.

Karenni State IEC calls for no-fly zone to prevent civilian casualties

The call comes as the junta intensifies its attacks in a bid to retake areas held by Karenni resistance forces

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