April 26, 2024, Manmaw and Nmawk, Kachin State – Reports from Manmaw and Nmawk reveal a sharp escalation in military actions by the State Administration Council (SAC) Military Junta against local civilians, which began intensifying on April 23. Residents have described an environment of fear and repression as the junta increases its control over the area.
A local, preferring anonymity, shared a harrowing account: “This morning, the junta declared that civilians are banned from traveling between Chyenan and Hkanan. They openly threatened to shoot anyone who attempts to cross these areas without hesitation.”
The military’s presence has grown more oppressive with soldiers routinely searching homes, detaining residents, raiding local businesses, and looting villages. This overreach extends to collecting excessive amounts of demographic data, further infringing on the privacy of the populace.
Civilians in Nmawk find themselves effectively trapped, unable to leave or enter the town, exacerbating their plight as external aid struggles to reach them. One recently escaped civilian recounted their ordeal: “The route from Hkanan to Chyenan is closed. But it is still possible to travel from Chyenan to Manmaw so, last night we slept at Chyenan and then able to flee to Manmaw.”
Jacob, a representative from the Kachin Human Rights Watch (KHRW), detailed a disturbing increase in human rights abuses by the SAC. “In just the last three days, we’ve seen a significant uptick in violence. On April 23, the junta conducted airstrikes that killed several civilians and destroyed churches and other infrastructure. The following day, numerous civilians were arbitrarily arrested, and by the 25th, they raided homes, shops and destroyed and looted them.”
The KHRW has condemned these actions, labelling them as war crimes and severe violations of international human rights standards. The intensification of SAC’s tactics appears to be a reaction to the territorial gains made by the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) who continues its offensive missions in the region since early March this year. As the conflict escalates, the plight of civilians caught in the crossfire grows ever more desperate, with no resolution in sight.
