Thousands of locals flee junta airstrikes, shelling in eastern Bago Region

By Admin 06 Jun 2023

DMG Newsroom
6 June 2023, Kyaukkyi, Bago Region

Fierce fighting between the military and a coalition led by the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA), the armed wing of the KNU, has been ongoing after anti-regime forces launched an attack on Nat Than Kwin police outpost in Kyaukkyi Township, Bago Region, early Tuesday morning.

A coalition headed by KNLA Brigade 3 attacked Nat Than Kwin police outpost and other junta positions in Kyaukkyi Township at about 4:30 a.m. on June 6.

“The KNLA and its allied forces raided the Nat Than Kwin police outpost early this morning. A military jet fighter dropped bombs and subsequently attacked with helicopter gunships at some homes. I fled to a safer location and saw homes being burned down by the airstrikes. Clashes were reported until 11 a.m.,” said a resident of Nat Than Kwin town.

Three junta Mi-35 attack helicopters reportedly dropped bombs on Nat Than Kwin town and teh surrounding area at least 10 times starting at around 7 a.m. on June 6, according to eyewitnesses. The bridge over the Sittaung River connecting Kyaukkyi and Nat Than Kwin was destroyed during the hostilities.

“The bridge linking Kyaukkyi with Nat Than Kwin was completely destroyed by the junta’s airstrikes and shelling. People in Nat Than Kwin town can use only boats for travelling. Many people are trapped in Nat Than Kwin due to the military’s airstrikes and shelling,” said another resident of Nat Than Kwin.

Civilian casualties were reported and at least 15,000 locals were forced to flee, according to a ground source from KNLA Brigade 3.

“As far as I know, 10 civilians were killed, but I don’t have an exact list. There are many people injured by the junta’s airstrikes and shelling. Almost all residents in Nat Than Kwin fled to safer locations,” the source added.

As of press time, the junta had not released any information about the Nat Than Kwin clash. Junta spokesman Major-General Zaw Min Tun could not be reached for comment.

Frequent clashes have been reported between the military and local anti-regime forces in and around Nat Than Kwin town, an area controlled by KNLA Brigade 3.