At least 75 civilians were killed and some 180 houses were destroyed by Myanmar junta air and artillery strikes during the first two months of this year in Kayah (Karenni) State, according to the Progressive Karenni People’s Force (PKPF).

In a report on Wednesday, the PKPF said there were 55 clashes between the Karenni Nationalities Defense Force (KNDF) and junta troops, as well as 67 junta air raids, from January through February in Kayah State.

The KNDF is a network of civilian resistance fighters, Karenni organisations and armed groups in Kayah State.

“There were fierce clashes because more than 300 junta troops, including those from the regime’s Division 66 and local battalions, carried out attacks in the past two months. And locals were killed by the junta’s artillery and air strikes,” said a spokesman for the KNDF.

Three religious buildings were damaged by junta shellings, he added. More than 170,000 people have been displaced by the fighting in Kayah State.

Some internally displaced people (IDPs) have also been forced from their temporary displacement camps after the camps were hit by artillery strikes, and they are reportedly in urgent need of emergency relief.

“Some IDP camps were hit by artillery shells, and they are in need of shelter as well as food and medical supplies,” said a spokesperson for a local humanitarian group helping the IDPs.