As the military tensions between the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) and the junta have escalated in the southern part of Kawkareik Township, Karen State, the locals are fleeing again.

A joint force of the military council and the Border Guard Force (BGF) has been active in KNU-controlled area of Kawkareik Township, Dooplaya District and the clashes broke out again in An Pha Gyi, An Pha Lay and Nan Shwe Hmone villages in southern Kawkareik in recent days.

Fighting continued yesterday morning, March 21, between Nan Shwe Hmone and Aung Lai villages in southern Kawkareik and there might be casualties on both sides, the locals said.

The fighting has forced thousands of local villagers to flee to other villages.

The military tensions between the two sides have risen after the KNU sent a notice letter to the commander of the military council's Southeast Command to withdraw troops from Brigade 6 in the KNU-controlled area’s Dooplaya District.

On March 17, the KNU issued a warning letter to the military council’s departmental officials to leave the area and resign from their offices in Kawkayeik Township.