More Kayin State civilians displaced to Thailand in latest aerial bombardment

By DMG 17 Jan 2022

DMG Newsroom
17 January 2022, Karen State 

People sheltering on the banks of the Thaungyin River at the Thai border, having fled clashes around Phalu Lay village in Kayin State, had to relocate to Mae Sot, Thailand, due to airstrikes and artillery fire by junta forces on January 14, according to local sources.

Residents of Phalu Lay, Min Let Pan, Yathaegu and Mae Thar Khee villages have taken refuge in Thailand as a result of Friday’s attack, but some villagers are staying at their villages as they are concerned for their homes, said a Phalu Lay villager who did not want to reveal their name.

“People cannot stay at their homes due to bombardment from jet fighters and helicopters, or heavy weapons fire. But then, they cannot take refuge at the bank of the Thaungyin River and have to flee to Thailand. Some villagers did not flee because they had to watch their houses,” the villager told DMG.

“Refugees were taking shelter at the [Democratic Karen Benevolent Army aka DKBA] base attacked by junta forces. The regime council conducted airstrikes on the base. Some members of the DKBA joint forces were killed there. IDPs [internally displaced people] and residents fled to Thailand and joint force members retreated from the base,” said an aid worker assisting those displaced.

Fighting between junta troops and joint forces involving soldiers from the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA), Karen National Defence Organisation (KNDO), DKBA and a DKBA splinter faction have occurred in and around the villages of Phalu Lay, Mae Thar Khee, Yathaegu, Min Let Pan, Phalu Gyi, Lay Kay Kaw and Mae Htaw Tha Lay since December 15, forcing more than 10,000 people to shelter at refugee camps in Thailand.