Myanmar junta accused of targeting civilians and crops in Karenni State, raising famine fears

Mizzima

The Karenni Human Rights Group (KnHRG) has accused the Myanmar junta of deliberately targeting civilians and displaced communities in Karenni State, obstructing their ability to harvest crops in what the group described as an attempt to cause food shortages that could lead to famine.

According to a report released by KnHRG on 5 November, the junta launched artillery strikes on farmland and used drones to attack civilians harvesting their crops throughout October.

The attacks were concentrated in Hpruso and Pekon townships, where one person was killed and three others were injured in Hpruso, KnHRG founder Ko Banyar told Mizzima.

“As many have heard, the Military Commission entered Demoso town and moved toward Hpruso. They are now stationed in a village on the other side of the road,” said Ko Banyar. “When local residents go to harvest their rice and monsoon crops, the military attacks them with drones.”