Nine civilians killed by junta strikes in Kayah State last month: resistance group

By DMG 03 Oct 2022

DMG Newsroom
3 October 2022, Sittwe

Nine civilians were killed and 19 others were injured by air and artillery strikes from the Myanmar military regime in September in Kayah (Karenni) State, according to the Karenni Nationalities Defence Force (KNDF).

There were 57 clashes between junta troops and KNDF-led resistance forces last month, according to the October 2 report of the KNDF, which broke down the fighting into 18 clashes in the township of Demoso, 14 in Hpruso, 11 in Loikaw, nine in Moebye, three in Shadaw, and two in Bawlakhe.

A KNDF spokesman said: “Hundreds of junta troops have advanced into Karenni, resulting in clashes. Both sides suffered casualties in those clashes.”

Some villages and displacement camps were hit during the junta’s air and artillery strikes, killing nine civilians including a Karenni health worker, three children and five elderly persons, according to a healthcare worker helping the internally displaced people (IDPs).

“A healthcare worker and children were killed by artillery strikes and elderly persons died when their houses were hit by shells,” he said.

DMG was unable to contact junta spokesman Major-General Zaw Min Tun for comment. The KNDF has warned local villagers not to hastily return to their villages, saying clashes could erupt at any time.

A KNDF member said: “Some displaced people are planning to return to their homes, but the regime will instigate fighting at any time.”

More than 200,000 people have been displaced by fighting between junta troops and anti-regime forces since April in Kayah State.