UN concerned over new fighting in Burma’s north

Kachin Independence Army cadets in Laiza (Paul Vrieze VOA)

Kachin Independence Army fighters preparing for military drills at the group's headquarters in Laiza, Kachin State. With international eyes on the crisis facing the Rohingya in Burma's Rakhine State, the UN human rights rapporteur for the Southeast Asian country expressed grave concern over a sharp escalation in hostilities in northern Kachin State—where peace talks with ethnic rebels have broken down. Special Rapporteur Yanghee Lee said she had received reports that the military had carried out aerial bombings, and used heavy weapons and artillery fire against civilian areas, forcing thousands to flee their homes. "What we are seeing in Kachin State over the past few weeks is wholly unacceptable, and must stop immediately,” Lee said.

Photo: VOA via WikiMedia Commons

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