A house was destroyed and a school damaged by artillery fire from the Burma Army (BA) in eastern Demawso Township, according to Karenni Nationalities Defence Force (KNDF), which has been fighting to overthrow Burma’s dictatorship since its formation last May.

Three shells hit Dor Khu Li village this morning (31 March, 7am). “Fortunately, no one was injured,” a KNDF officer from Battalion 1 told Kantarawaddy Times, saying there was no fighting in the area that triggered the attack. The BA fired artillery indiscriminately at the village and other places for two and a half hours.

Tanee Ler Leh in eastern Demawso Township was also shelled by regime forces between 13and 18 March, injuring at least two men.

According to the Karenni Civil Society Network (KCSN), the military killed 235 civilians and wounded 177 living in Karenni State after the fall of the civilian government until 13 March.

The Karenni resistance groups have suffered many causalities during battles with the BA despite being outgunned and outnumbered. Recently, the regime has stepped up airstrikes on rebels and civilians, firing artillery, attack helicopters and fighter jets, and using armed vehicles.

Karenni civil society organisations have accused the regime of committing war crimes and crimes against humanity in Karenni State and called on the international community to take action.