July 27, 2023
In Myawaddy, Karen State,a resident said that more than 600 refugees fleeing the war are facing difficulties like drinking water due to the ongoing conflict between the military council forces and KNLA joint forces in Myawaddy town.
On July 9, because of this conflict in Lat Khat Daung near Myawaddy, 600 local residents from outside and inside of Mekanel, Myitta Lin Myaing, Pwint Lin Aye Myaing, and Kyauk Loung Gyi Monastery have been fled during the war are now in Taw Ya Monastery in Myawaddy Township. According to the residents, due to the mass number of people fleeing the war, they are facing difficulties in accessing basic necessities such as drinking water, accommodation, and food.
“With the number of refugees increasing rapidly to around 600 people, the monastery, which had initially housed around 400 people, is now overwhelmed, and all three buildings are filled to capacity. Some people come to donate food but it can’t cover the whole population then the monk has to look after if there is in need .” said a resident of Myawaddy.
Unfortunately,only those people who donate to war refugees and the General Administration Department under the Military Council are allowed to assist those fleeing the war.
Currently, the fighting is still continued around Myawaddy town almost every day, and the Military Council forces are firing heavy weapons almost every day.
“The heavy weapons are fired every day by the military council forces . They used to shoot from the side of 275 then now they are shooting from the side of Tone Tada village. The explosion sound can be heard yesterday morning. Now the monks from Lat Khat Daung and Myitta Lin Myaing were also fleeing. Those monks were taken by car by the elders of the ward, and where they took them,” said the local resident.
At present, there is a possibility that fighting will continue in Lat Khat Daung Hill , and the military army is working at a high speed to retake the Lat Khat Daung hill camp. Battles between the military council forces and the KNLA joint forces are occuring almost every day in Myawaddy, Kawkareik, Kyar Inn Seik Gyi, Hpapun, and Than Daung Gyi from Karen State .And the military army was continuously firing heavy weapons into the villages.
News – Ko Phyo
Photo: Social Media
(Phar Si Than’ People’s Radio Myanmar)
