Month of fighting displaces tens of thousands in Kayin State 

27 Feb 2022

DMG Newsroom
27 February 2022, Hpa-an, Kayin State

Fighting between the Myanmar military and the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) and Karen National Defence Organization (KNDO) for nearly a month in February in areas controlled by the Karen National Union (KNU) has forced more than 100,000 locals to flee to nearby forests, according to KNU sources. 

There have been 67 clashes between the Myanmar military and its Border Guard Force (BGF) allies, and the KNLA and KNDO, in KNU-controlled areas this month, according to the KNU Central Committee. 

More than 100 houses were damaged by Myanmar military airstrikes and artillery shelling, injuring more than 20 locals and killing more than 18, an official with the Karen Refugee Assistance Team told DMG. 

“The fighting with the Myanmar military lasted for almost a month. During the fighting, local homes were destroyed by artillery shelling by the Myanmar military. There have also been reports of casualties from Myanmar military airstrikes and artillery fire,” the aid worker said. 

More than 15 houses in Dwe Lo, Butho and Luthaw towns in Mutraw District, an area controlled by KNU Brigade 5, were destroyed by artillery fire from the Myanmar military and BGF, according to locals. 

A battle broke out between the Myanmar military and a coalition including the KNLA near the village of Ingabo in Kyaikto Township, Mon State, on February 26 as Myanmar military troops in 10 vehicles attempted to send reinforcements to the area, according to a local resident of Ingabol village. 

“The Myanmar military convoy was attacked with landmines at about 10 a.m. while crossing Ingabo village. Gunfire was heard from both sides and no injuries were reported,” the villager added. 

From December 2021 through February of this year, more than 100,000 people in Kayin State have fled to nearby forests and mountains near the Thaungyin River on the Thai-Myanmar border and to Mae Sot, Thailand, and are in need of food and medicine.