Local residents from approximately ten villages in the southern part of Myawaddy Township, Karen State, have been forced to flee, following an advance by the military junta’s troops.
According to local sources, on September 7th, the junta’s Aung Zeya battalion reached the 275th regiment in Myawaddy town along the Kawkareik–Thin Gan Nyi Naung road. On September 8th, the battalion advanced into southern Myawaddy’s Lay Kay Kaw area, which is under the control of the Karen Border Guard Force (BGF) and the pro-democracy Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA).
During the military advance, junta jets targeted the Lay Kay Kaw area, including Yathe Gu village near a prominent monastery as well as nearby water reservoirs. Three 500-hundred bombs were dropped on the area.
As a result of both the ground incursion and airstrikes, residents from approximately ten villages, including Yathe Gu, Mehtawthalay, Inngyinmyaing, Hpalu, Hteemeiwahkhee, Beiheekalaw, and Minletpan, have been forced to flee.
One of the displaced persons from Lay Kay Kaw told reporters, “We fled from Lay Kay Kaw toward Be Hi Klo, then continued toward Mehtawthalay village. The situation is still uncertain. Although it’s quiet now, with no immediate gunfire, we are keeping watch. They say the army is already present in all villages”.
Many of those displaced sought refuge in the Hpalugyi area, while others were hiding in forests, hills, and farmland.
Throughout the Kawkareik–Thin Gan Nyi Naung–Myawaddy section of the Asia Road, residents fled as the junta had occupied the area.
According to Saw Albert, Coordinator of the Karen Human Rights Group (KHRG), “We don’t yet know exactly how many villages along this route are currently displaced. But at the moment, all villages along the main Asia Road and the old mountain road are being evacuated”.
Currently, the junta has advanced along both air and ground forces from Kawkareik to Myawaddy, consolidating control over the region, while the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) and allied revolutionary forces have been withdrawing in response.
