The military council conducted 110 attacks targeting civilians in Karen National Union (KNU) controlled territories during their declared ceasefire period, resulting in 20 civilian deaths, according to a statement from the KNU Central Committee. Despite declaring a unilateral ceasefire from April 2 to April 22, the military council committed numerous human rights violations in the Kawthoolei administrative area, including airstrikes, artillery attacks, burning of civilian properties, laying landmines, and arbitrary arrests.
The military council carried out 63 attacks using fighter jets, helicopters, and drones, which killed 14 civilians and one novice monk, while injuring two monks, one senior novice, and 34 civilians. Additionally, five monasteries and seven houses were damaged. In 43 separate artillery attacks, five innocent civilians were killed and 18 were injured, with 16 houses destroyed. The military troops also burned down four houses and one church in a single arson attack, arbitrarily arrested two civilians, and their planted landmines injured two more civilians.
According to the KNU Central Committee’s statement, the military council’s ceasefire declaration was merely intended to secure humanitarian assistance from the international community, while in reality, they continued to target civilians in areas controlled by revolutionary organizations. The KNU described the military council’s actions as hypocritical, noting that civilians are simultaneously suffering from both natural disasters and military attacks. As a result, the KNU stated they must maintain continuous defensive measures to protect the lives and property of civilians.
