SW News: Humanitarian groups in Myanmar have said that more than 24 civilians have been killed since May 27 as the fighting between the military and the rebels intensified.

Shan state is witnessing fighting between government troops and armed ethnic separatist fighters and at least 30 civilians have been killed between May 27 and June 12 in Mobye, which is located between the capital Naypyitaw and a rebel-controlled area. This was reported by the Karenni Human Rights organization.
Kareni Human Rights said on Twitter that two people were killed in intense shelling in Loi Wa village in Loikaw township on June 14. The area has been witnessing heavy fighting ever since the military stepped up its counter-offensive.

UCA News quoted a source as saying that heavy artillery firing was heard from Loikaw town and on the precincts of Mobye, which is home to more than 14,000 Christians with an equal number of Buddhists. Against the background of the military shelling, local residents have been forced to abandon their homes and take shelter in the houses of relatives or in monasteries in Taunggyi and Pekhon.
Mobye falls in Pekhon diocese and it is witnessing escalated violence between armed ethnic militia and the military. The diocese encompasses the entire southern Shan state. Neighboring Loikaw diocese in Kayah state is also the theater of conflict between the army and the separatist fighters. Several parishes have been emptied after its residents were forced to flee in the midst of conflict.
The government in exile has condemned the killing of innocent civilians in the ongoing military onslaught in Myanmar. Dr Sasa, the minister of international cooperation, urged the global community to take action against those responsible for the mindless violence.

“We have called on the international community, including Myanmar’s neighbors and concerned organizations, to take action for an end to military atrocities against its own people and to hold them accountable,” said the minister in a statement issued on June 14.

According to Christian NGO Free Burma Rangers, around 26 villagers were killed in the escalating violence in Mobye between June 6 and 8 and 20 others suffered injuries.