More than 200 homes across three villages were destroyed in fighting between junta forces and Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) troops last month in Kadai Kadut village, Kyaikto Township, Mon State, forcing many locals to leave their homes.

A fierce clash erupted between the military’s Light Infantry Battalion No. 207 and KNLA troops under the Karen National Union (KNU) Brigade 1 at a location between Kadai Kadut village and Moebye village in Kyaikto Township on January 26.

Junta forces raided three villages — Moe Baw Gyi Natsin, Kyaukphyar and Kadai Kadut — destroying homes and shops, and looting valuables, an unnamed resident of Kadai Kadut village told DMG.

“We attempted to leave our home when the junta troops entered the village, but we couldn’t. The junta soldiers gathered all the people at the village’s monastery,” the resident added.

The military abducted Ko Aung, a local resident of Kadai Kadut village, to serve as a guide, and his whereabouts were not known, the resident said.

Many other villagers require assistance, according to a KNLA relief worker.

“The villagers fled in fear when the military forces stormed the villages,” the aid worker said. “Their houses and shops were destroyed. The displaced villagers are in need of food, medicine and clothes. The displaced people are still in need of relief supplies as the fighting could resume at any time.”

Due to the recent hostilities, more than 9,000 people from the affected villages in Kyaikto Township have fled their homes, many into the nearby mountains.