Junta Escalates Attacks on Karen Villages -Nearly 100,000 Civilians Displaced Last Few monthsFaced with persistent losses in battles across Myanmar, the Junta has escalated its attacks on civilians, causing a significant increase in the displaced population to nearly 100,000 within a few months, according to the Karen People Support Network (KPSN).

Intense clashes occurred In the Karen National Union (KNU)'s 6th Brigade-controlled area, including Maekane village tract, Kawkayeik, and Chaunghnakhwa, between the Junta army and the joint resistance forces led by the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA).

The military regime's troops launched targeted attacks on civilians, and conducting a series of airstrikes during the confrontations. Their indiscriminate attacks resulted in casualties and injuries among the residents of Myawaddy's Maekane village tract, Kawkayeik, Kyaukmaraw, and Chaunghnakhwa, prompting numerous residents to flee their homes in order to escape the ongoing fighting.

Junta forces also escalated its artillery barrages on Mone Township in KNU 3rd Brigade's territory of Nyaunglebin District, prompting 70,000 individuals from 90 villages to evacuate, and causing an urgent demand for humanitarian assistance, as reported by KNU on December 7th.

Saw Paw Kalay, spokesperson for KPSN, emphasized that with the increasing number of displaced individuals, there is a pressing demand for food, and they are currently experiencing unprecedented hardships.

KPSN is urging international organizations to implement tough sanctions on the Military Council, specifically in response to its brutal actions against civilians, and to offer support

to the affected population.

According to KNU, more than 700,000 residents have fled the Kawthoolei area due to armed clashes, the Military Council's targeted attacks, and human rights violations.