Civilian Christians Killed amid Military Fighting in Western Burma

Unknown whether caught in crossfire or deliberately targeted.

NAYPYIDAW, Burma (Morning Star News) – Burmese army jet fighters killed 21 civilians from the predominantly Christian, ethnic Chin group in airstrikes this month in western Burma (Myanmar), sources said. In Paletwa Township, Chin state, the army on March 14 struck Meiksa Wa villages 2 and 3, killing 12 civilians, area residents reportedly said. Eight […]

Christian Rohingya Refugees Attacked, Kidnapped in Bangladesh

Pastor and daughter abducted, makeshift church building destroyed.

YANGON, Burma (Morning Star News) – A rights group has confirmed reports that suspected Muslim, ethnic Rohingya beat and kidnapped Rohingya Christians on Jan. 26-27 in a refugee camp in Bangladesh. At least 12 Rohingya Christians were hospitalized with injuries from an attack in Kutupalong refugee camp in Cox’s Bazar District on the evening of […]

Rebels in Burma Who Closed More than 100 Churches Allow 51 to Reopen

Congregations investigated as ‘extremists.’

YANGON, Burma (Morning Star News) – Ethnic rebels who closed more than 100 churches in eastern Burma (Myanmar) in 2018 have allowed 51 Baptist churches to reopen, sources said. Ethnic Wa rebels of the United Wa State Army (UWSA) this week announced they had permitted 51 Baptist churches to reopen in northern Shan state after […]

Three Christians Forced to Convert to Buddhism in Rakhine State, Burma

Local officials take ethnic Chins to Buddhist monastery.

YANGON, Burma (Morning Star News) – Local authorities in western Burma (Myanmar) last month forced three Christians to convert to Buddhism, area sources said. In Ann Township in southern Rakhine state, five local officials led by U Tin Shwe Maung took two ethnic Chin Christians from their homes in Padi Kyin village to a monastery on […]

Six Christians Injured in Stoning of Christmas Service in Burma

Area Buddhists had told Christian families to leave village.

YANGON, Burma (Morning Star News) – Unidentified men last week stoned a house full of worshippers for an hour in a predominantly Buddhist village in Burma (Myanmar), injuring six people, sources said. In Kanta Kawn Township, Magway Region in central Burma, 27 Christians were holding a Christmas worship service on Dec. 17 when at 8 p.m. […]

Rebels in Burma Detain More than 90 Christian Leaders, Shut Down More Churches

Some students forced to serve in UWSA forces, sources say.

YANGON, Burma (Morning Star News) – After shutting down at least 10 churches in early September, ethnic Wa rebels in eastern Burma (Myanmar) have closed dozens of other churches and detained 92 Christian leaders and 42 students in a bid to curtail Christian activities, sources said. The United Wa State Army (UWSA) in late September detained […]

Rebel Force Attacks Churches in Burma

Extremist militants aim to restrict missionary activity, sources say.

YANGON, Burma (Morning Star News) – Ethnic Wa rebels this month shut down churches or destroyed their buildings and temporarily detained several clergymen in eastern Burma (Myanmar), sources said. On the border with China, soldiers of Myanmar’s largest ethnic rebel group, the United Wa State Army (UWSA), attacked the churches in the rebel’s autonomous region in […]

Military-Backed Forces in Burma Beat Two Youth Pastors, Sources Say

Military abuses of predominantly Christian Kachin continue.

YANGON, Burma (Morning Star News) – Burmese army-backed militia beat two youth pastors in northern Burma (Myanmar) last week, detaining one of them overnight at the force’s base, sources said. At the home of one of the Christians in Kachin state, members of the army-based Border Guard Force (BGF) on Tuesday (July 31) kicked and beat […]

Burma Bombing Drives Christian, Ethnic Kachin Civilians from their Homes

Government forces restrict access to villagers trapped in the wilds, sources say.

YANGON, Burma (Morning Star News) – The Burma (Myanmar) military in April bombed predominantly Christian, ethnic Kachin civilians and restricted aid to displaced villagers trapped in the wilds, sources said. Burma government forces fired artillery and dropped bombs on Awng Lawt village in mid-April near the northern town of Tanai, Kachin state, sending 2,000 villagers fleeing […]

Two Pastors in Burma Freed from Prison

Baptist leaders jailed for helping media cover bombing of civilian sites, sources say.

YANGON, Burma (Morning Star News) – After spending more than a year in prison, two assistant pastors arrested by the Burma (Myanmar) army were freed on Tuesday (17 April) under a government amnesty program. Dom Dawng Nawng Latt, 65, and La Jaw Gam Hseng, 35, were among more than 8,500 prisoners granted amnesty by newly elected President U Win Myint, sources said. […]