Following a recent airstrike by the military junta near the new monastery in Ngapuinn village and the Hlwasinkone road intersection in Kyaikmaraw Township, Mon State, joint revolutionary forces are still active in the area. This has left locals worried about the possibility of additional bombings.
Despite no ground offensives by the military junta in the area, it remains active with movements from the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA), Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA), resistance groups, and Border Guard Force (BGF). This activity has led many locals to seek refuge in nearby gardens or move to urban areas.
“There aren’t many people fleeing because of the soldiers. The area is controlled by Karen soldiers, so there isn’t much scrutiny. However, we worry about more airstrikes. Soldiers aren’t stationed near us; they are in Taungkalay and Chaunghnitkhwa,” a resident said.
Schools in Ngapuinn and Hlwasinkone remain closed for security reasons since the bombing on July 19, a local teacher reported. That attack resulted in the deaths of at least ten civilians, including children, and over ten resistance fighters, with more than twenty people injured.
Reports suggest the military junta plans to launch ground operations in Kyaikmaraw Township. Meanwhile, resistance groups are active near the MCL cement factory and in the Kawtthat and Kawtpanaw areas, raising fears of further clashes, a local woman said.
“Planes have been circling the area for the past couple of days. The Karen soldiers are on alert. We worry about more attacks, and the recent bombing left bodies we identified by their personal items,” she added.
The bombed area is known for the presence of resistance groups such as the Saw Ae Say Wa Army, the White Tiger Army, the Gallon Army, the Dona Army, the Mon National Liberation Army (M.L.A.), and the Mya Sandi Army.
Kyaikmaraw Township has experienced the highest number of airstrikes in Mon State, followed by Ye Township. In the first six months of 2024, more than 70 civilians, including women and children, have been killed and over 120 injured due to airstrikes and heavy weapon attacks by the military junta, according to data from Lagun Ein.
