Thaton, August (1)
Thousands of civilians have fled their houses due to the escalation of armed clashes in Thaton township, Mon State, local officials told Than Lwin Times.
Fighting intensifies between joint forces of the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) and the military council troops that stormed Thathon township on July 29.
During the clashes, the junta troops fired heavy weapon shelling into the villages, forcing thousands of residents to flee from seven villages, including Mayangon, Chaung Sauk, and Mikyaung Ai.
People are in need of shelter, food, basic medicine, and humanitarian assistance amid the rainy season, said Padoh Saw Aye Naing, the secretary of KNU’s Thaton District.
Fighting erupted again on the morning of July 31 between the advanced junta army and the combined force of the KNLA and allies, and the details of the fighting are still unknown because of phone service disruptions.
On July 27, the KNLA joint forces attacked the Wi Yaw camp based in Thaton, and the regime forces fired at least 40 rounds of heavy weapons at the surrounding areas of Htone Bo Lay village in Thaton Township.
The miligtary’s mortar shells killed a local and injured six others while damaging 15 houses and one monastery, according to the statement of KNU-Thaton District.
News-Than Lwin Times
Photo-KNU
Thanlwintimes