“The Burma Army is currently engaged in an escalating conflict in both northern Shan and Kachin states. The situation has left several dead, including a 22-year-old man killed by a landmine, and others injured, such as a 39-year-old mother wounded by shrapnel and incapacitated.” Free Burma Rangers said in its latest report.

In another incident, a 21-year-old student was killed at a checkpoint in the Kachin State capital of Myitkyina by government soldiers.

The conflict has seen a spike in human rights violations, including rapes, killings, the use of civilians as human shields and forced labor, with the majority of reports pointing the finger at government forces.

There are currently three major conflicts in Shan and Kachin State, pitting government troops against ethnic armed groups, the Kachin Independence Army (KIA), Shan State Army North (SSA-N) and the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA).

FBR has documented at least 33 armed skirmishes since May, which have left 11 dead and 9 missing, although the real casualty figures could be much higher as it is difficult to get figures of Government losses. The skirmishes have also seen the use of at least six airstrikes by government forces, and 11 heavy artillery strikes.