Due to intensified fighting at the Kalain Aung and Malwe Taung road junction on Union Highway No. 8 in Ye-Dawei, Yebyu Township, thousands of local people from about 10 villages have been forced to flee their homes and seek safety elsewhere.
The conflict in Yebyu began in mid-August, when various military junta forces entered village areas under the pretext of “clearing the territory.” This led to clashes between the junta troops and allied groups of Mon, Karen, and Dawei revolutionary forces.
Fighting initially erupted in the villages of Kawhlain and Mayan Chaung. As the revolutionary forces retreated, military units—including the Mawrawati naval forces—fired heavy weapons along the withdrawal routes, and troops advanced further into the villages.
As a result, residents from Kawhlain, Mayan Chaung, Mile (60), Mile (62), Thaya Mon, Raphoo, Ahlae Sakhan, Kyae Talin, Lothine, and Kyaukkadin were forced to flee. According to displaced residents, the military’s heavy weapons attacks caused widespread fear, and people fled in large numbers.
“One of the first attacks happened in Mayan Chaung. From there, troops began entering other villages. Both the navy and the army fired heavy weapons, so people panicked and ran. The villages are very close to each other—only a few miles apart—so no one could stay,” said a teacher who fled the conflict.
More than 700 displaced people from Yebyu have reached areas controlled by the New Mon State Party in Dawei District. Among the displaced are women, children, the elderly, and those with health issues. Because it is the rainy season, there are concerns about outbreaks of infectious diseases such as diarrhea, cholera, and dysentery.
Daily sustenance is a major challenge for the 700-plus displaced people, and rice, other food supplies, and medicine are critical.
Access through the Malwe Taung military checkpoint is restricted, preventing humanitarian groups from reaching the displaced. As a result, no aid has yet been delivered to the refugees, according to an official from the New Mon State Party in Dawei District.
“We have around 700 people here. When they first arrived, providing food and drinking water was very difficult. We are coordinating with relief organizations, but there has been no outside aid so far. Some arrived without any supplies. Access through Malwe Taung is complicated,” the official said.
Discussions are ongoing between New Mon State Party leaders and officials from the Eastern Regional Military Command to allow humanitarian groups easier access through the Malwe Taung checkpoint.
Because the checkpoint remains closed, displaced people face difficulty reaching other safe areas, and access to food, clothing, and shelter is limited, one displaced person explained: “Since Malwe Taung is closed, we can’t go that way. So far, no one has brought any supplies. Getting enough food and water is very difficult. Those who have relatives nearby are slightly better off, but for most, it’s extremely hard.”
The conflict that began in Mayan Chaung has now spread to Thaya Mon village, and the number of displaced people is expected to rise.
