Fourteenth Anniversary of the Resumed War in Kachin

Today marks fourteen years since the armed conflict resumed in the Kachin region when a 17-year ceasefire collapsed following an unprovoked attack by the Burma Army on June 9, 2011. In the years that followed, the military regime torched villages, bombed homes and churches and carried out widespread atrocities–even as much of the world praised it for democratic reforms. The resumed war has inflicted immense suffering on the Kachin people and other communities in the region, who have endured relentless violence, forced displacement, and the erosion of fundamental rights–conditions that have only persisted and worsened under continued military aggression after the military coup in 2021.

According to UNHCR, as of May 2025, over 233,000 people were officially displaced in Kachin State. The real figure is likely higher due to the many unregistered IDPs living in informal settlements. Frequent displacement, internet blackouts, and ongoing military violence– particularly airstrikes and indiscriminate attacks on civilians–make data collection difficult and force people to flee repeatedly, even from IDP camps. Many have fled the country entirely in search of safety.

On June 9, 2025, we call on the international community and the United States Government to take urgent and sustained action in the following areas:

First, increase funding and assistance for humanitarian, health, education, and other essential services for IDPs and conflict-affected communities in the Kachin region and beyond. Support must be delivered through local and ethnic-led humanitarian responders—those with the deepest access and trust—who are best positioned to reach communities in urgent need.
Second, prioritize civilian protection and take immediate action to prevent indiscriminate airstrikes that exacerbate civilian killings and suffering. It is also critical to protect the rights and dignity of all civilians and displaced persons, paying particular attention to the specific needs of women, children, and persons with disabilities.
Third, support the safe, voluntary, and dignified return or resettlement of IDPs, in full consultation with affected communities, and ensure continuous monitoring and post-return reintegration support.
Fourth, do not lend legitimacy to the regime, which would only prolong dictatorship and suffering in Burma. Instead, hold the perpetrators accountable for war crimes and human rights abuses to end the cycle of impunity.
Finally, protect those seeking refuge outside of Burma, including by extending Temporary Protected Status (TPS) in the United States. A recent U.S. proclamation restricting the entry of Burmese nationals–set to take effect on June 9–risks punishing the very people fleeing persecution, including students, activists, and displaced civilians. Many young people under TPS now face the threat of being forced back to Burma, where they could be conscripted into the military under the regime’s brutal conscription law. We urge the United States and other countries to uphold their humanitarian responsibilities and safeguard those fleeing war and dictatorship.

On this painful anniversary, we honor the lives lost, the community shattered, and the generations growing up in displacement and fear. Let this day serve not only as a solemn remembrance but also as a reaffirmation of our collective commitment to justice, dignity, and human rights for all.

Kachin Alliance

Washington, D.C.

United States of America

Mothers and children sheltering in one of the IDP camps in Kachin, Burma. Photo By: RANIR Simsa Kasa Multimedia

Dozens of civilians from the Bhamo region are fleeing via waterways, escaping conflict and war in Bhamo. Photo By: RANIR Simsa Kasa Multimedia.

A woman breaks down in tears inside a bombed building in Kachin, Burma. Photo By: RANIR Simsa Kasa Multimedia.

A displaced Family in one of the Kachin IDP camps. Photo By: RANIR Simsa Kasa Multimedia.

Dozens of civilians from the Bhamo region escape via waterways from conflicts and war, seeking uncertain safety. Photo By: RANIR Simsa Kasa Multimedia.