In Kawkareik township, Karen State, on January 26th and 27th, more than 10 houses were burnt down in various neighborhoods of Kawkareik township due to junta air strikes and mortar shelling, report local residents.
Some houses and a school in Chaung Taung and Thadaoo Wards were burnt down due to mortar shell attack by the military junta.
“At 8:30 AM on January 26th, an aircraft fired continuously from above, causing several houses to catch fire,” said the resident.
Nearly every day the military junta is firing mortar shells, forcing residents to flee. No one is left to put out house fires.
Another resident of Kyondoe said, “On January 26th, around 8:00 p.m., mortar shells were fired continuously, the sounds were terrifying. I have been hearing that almost all day.”
On January 21st, more than 50 houses were destroyed by fire in Ward No. 5.
As a result of the fighting, more than 30,000 residents of Kawkareik are fleeing to safety, according to those supporting the displaced.
Since the second half of 2024, ongoing fighting between the military junta and the joint revolutionary army has plagued the district. The White Tiger Column, a local revolutionary force, has reported incidents of junta forces burning houses, using civilians as human shields, and indiscriminate firing of mortar shells.
The group believes these actions are intended to displace Kawkareik residents.
