Senate. is escalating its war with the armed Burmese opposition. the Democratic Alliance of Burma. The world can and should take notice. Since last September. when the military violently suppressed a prodemocratic movement in Burma. several thousand refugees. most of whom are university students. have fled to Burmas borders with Thailand. China. and India. There they have settled under the protection of Burmas ethnic minority insurgents and together with them formed the alliance. In recent weeks. the military has launched an offensive against these positions. conscripting civilians to carry heavy loads and sweep minefields. and pounding refugee camps with all the force it can muster. Five days ago. the alliance camp of Wangkha on the ThaiBurmese border. home to over 500 student refugees. came under attack. Since Saturday night. the military has. without regard to the presence of civilians. reportedly bombarded the camp with over 2.000 heavy mortar shells each day. The war has pushed over 20.000 refugees into Thailand. and uncounted others into China and India. Burmese troops have recently crossed into Thailand to stage attacks against insurgent positions from the rear. The Governments purpose is twofold: To eliminate its student opposition and to open trade routes to Thailand. through which it will sell off Burmas natural resources. namely teak logs.
Keywords matched
refugee refugees