At least 25 local houses were damaged as a result of heavy weapons fired by the regime forces when there were no clashes in KNU’s Thaton District, the KNU reported.

The junta army and Border Guard Force (BGF) have recklessly fired mortar shells into Kyaikto, Thaton, Belin and Hpa-an Townships in KUN-held territories since the end of November.

At least 25 homes were damaged in the junta’s artillery attack, and four civilians, including two children, were wounded.

More than 4,000 residents of Kyaikto Township have fled to safe places and their relatives’ homes to avoid the junta attack, an official from KNU’s Thaton District told Than Lwin Times.

Military tensions between the two sides heightened following the junta’s invasion of the Kyaikto and Belin Townships.

Following the coup, the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) and regime forces have clashed frequently in the KNU-controlled Thaton District.