Dozens of civilian casualties tallied in clashes between junta, KNLA in Kayin State since late 2021

By DMG 21 Jul 2022

DMG Newsroom
21 July 2022, Hpa-an, Kayin State

The Karen Peace Support Network (KPSN) says dozens of civilian casualties have been reported over the past seven months in clashes between the Myanmar military and a coalition led by the Karen National Liberation Army in Kayin (Karen) State’s Dooplaya District.

The territory is controlled by Brigade 6 of the KNLA, the armed wing of the Karen National Union (KNU).

Junta troops used heavy weapons 63 times and conducted 203 airstrikes from December 15, 2021, to date, injuring 62 civilians and killing eight, the KPSN said in a statement this week.

More than 86,000 locals have been displaced by the fighting, according to Tuesday’s statement.

That includes residents of areas controlled by KNLA Brigade 6 including 116 villages in Kawkareik, Myawaddy, Kyainnseikgyi, Win Yay and Kyonedoe townships. Many of the internally displaced people (IDPs) have taken refuge at temporary displacement camps near the Myanmar-Thai border.

A KPSN official said the IDPs are facing problems such as lack of food, shelter, clothing and medicines.

“We have not been able to provide the necessary support for those who left their homes,” the KPSN official added. “Donors are supporting the displaced people as well. IDPs are in urgent need of food, clothing and shelter. During the rainy season, the situation became worse for the displaced people.”

The Myanmar military and allied Border Guard Force (BGF) have also blocked the Myawaddy-Lay Kay Kaw-Phalulay-Wawlay road, where fighting often occurs, making it difficult for relief groups to supply aid to those displaced, according to groups supporting Karen IDPs.

“The Myanmar military and BGF blocked the roads and increased their military presence along the Myawaddy-Wawlay road, where the fighting occurs regularly. The Thaungyin River’s current is also very strong during the rainy season. It is not easy to send food to the IDPs by waterways,” an aid worker said.

Ko Zin, a human rights activist, said the situation would improve only if Thailand assisted in providing humanitarian aid to the IDPs.

“Since the Myanmar military troops are still blocking the roads, it would be more convenient if Thailand cooperated in the border areas to help the displaced people over the long term,” he told DMG.

The KPSN has asked foreign countries to participate in providing humanitarian aid to the Karen IDPs who have fled their homes due to the conflict along the border.