Residents of three territories of the Karen National Union (KNU) have had to flee their homes again due to new clashes between the Myanmar military and joint forces of the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA), according to KNU sources.
Artillery shells landed near Lay Phoe Htar and Phwe Htaw Ru villages in Dweloe Township, in Kayin State’s Hpapun District, due to heavy weapons fire during a clash on the morning of February 15, destroying at least three houses and some farmland, the sources said.
On February 16, more than 400 Myanmar military and Border Guard Force personnel reinforced military positions at Kataeti in Po Loe Township, Mutraw District, which is territory of the KNU’s Brigade 5.
The reinforcements might escalate military tensions between the two sides, and people are concerned about clashes, a resident of Po Loe Township told DMG.
“We are worried about clashes after high tension due to the military’s reinforcements, especially for the children. We will have to flee home again if there are new clashes,” he said.
On February 14, at least 23 artillery shells were fired toward Htumawdae village, east of Hpapun town, with two of them exploding in the village.
The two sides exchanged fire following the artillery barrage, and more than 200 people from 21 households had to hide at a hillside near their wards, said an official from an aid group for Karen internally displaced people (IDPs).
“Regime council forces fired heavy weapons from Hpapun town. And, both sides exchanged fire. So, civilians had to flee to nearby gullies for their safety,” he said.
On the afternoon of February 14, clashes broke out between Myanmar military and KNLA joint teams at Myawaddy town, Lay Kay Kaw new town and Phalu village in KNU Brigade 6 territory, according to local sources.
The Myanmar military had not released any information about the clashes there as of press time.
On Wednesday afternoon, the Myanmar military reinforced its troops at Kyaikto Township in Mon State, which is KNU Brigade 3 territory, escalating military tensions between them.
