U.S. Embassy Statement on Kachin Fighting

The U.S. Embassy is deeply concerned by reports of intensifying military action in Kachin State and northern Shan State. Continued fighting needlessly puts the lives of vulnerable communities at risk and undermines the trust that will be essential to achieving a nationwide ceasefire agreement […]

How Many More Lives? Burma Army Must Immediately Halt its Offensives in Kachin State

Despite repeated calls from the international community, governments and civil society for an immediate halt to hostilities in Kachin and northern Shan State, on 19 November, 2014 the Burma Army fired several artillery missiles as “warning shots” onto the Kachin Independent Army’s (KIA) training academy in Laiza, Kachin State, killing 23 cadets and seriously injuring 20 others. Laiza is not only the KIA’s strong-hold. It is a city with over 20,000 civilians and a host to over 17,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs).

Just days after the killing in Laiza, the Burma Army began firing shells near IDP camps. Some of the shells landed near a boarding school housing about 1,000 IDP children. These subsequent attacks near the camps threatened the lives of over 10,000 IDPs and raised much anxiety among the most vulnerable communities who have continuously fled the conflict. Fortunately, no one was hurt in these attacks, but many of the IDPs were forced to flee again in terror to the nearby jungle.

The narrative of “reform” and the sweeping political changes that have been praised and funded by the international community is quickly coming apart at the seams. While the Burma Government continues to use its rhetoric of change and democracy to encourage international governments, donors and investors to continue funding the peace process and development projects, they made one of the most deadly targeted attacks in Kachin State since the ceasefire broke down in 2011. This attack raised serious doubts among the ethnic groups who have threatened to abandon talks aimed at achieving a nationwide ceasefire accord. These talks, ongoing for nearly two years, have proved to be thus far redundant, as the Burma Army obviously has no other goal than the elimination of all ethnic armed groups without committing to any genuine, structural reforms. […]

U.S. Embassy, Rangoon: Reports of Renewed Military Action in Southern and Eastern Kachin State

The United States remains deeply concerned by reports of renewed military action in southern and eastern Kachin State. This includes the death of more than 20 individuals at a cadet school on November 19.

Press Release: U.S. Embassy Rangoon’s Ambassador Derek Mitchell’s Visit to Kachin State

Myitkyina – Ambassador Derek Mitchell visited Myitkyina, Kachin State October 25-27. This was Ambassador Mitchell’s third visit to Kachin State as Ambassador; his first visit was in December 2012 and his second visit was in October 2013. During his three day visit, Ambassador Mitchell met with more than 150 members of Kachin society, including religious leaders, local humanitarian workers, cultural historians, students, NGO leaders, political party […]

Ongoing Conflict in Burma’s Kachin State

The United States is deeply concerned by ongoing violence in Burma’s Kachin State. Despite the Burmese government’s announcement that a ceasefire was to take effect on January 19, media and NGO reports indicate that the Burmese Army continues a military offensive in the vicinity of the Kachin Independence Army headquarters in Laiza […]

U.S. Department of State Deputy Assistant Secretary for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Travel to Burma

U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State (DAS) for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Joseph Yun has just concluded a three-day visit to Burma. His May 18-20 trip was the first by a Washington-based official to meet with leaders of Burma’s post-election government. DAS Yun’s trip reflects the United States’ ongoing efforts to engage directly with the government and to consult with a diverse range of stakeholders including democracy and ethnic leaders, businesspeople, and civil society representatives […]