August 2, 2023
In Karen State, residents have reported that the Military Council troops have been stationed at civilian houses in the villages around Kawkareik town and are firing heavy weapons.
Fighting between the military council junta and the joint KNLA forces is happening almost every day in the vicinity of Kawkareik town, and the military council forces have been firing heavy weapons into the villages.
Residents said that the Military Council troops are currently stationed in civilian houses in Ka Mong Kon village and have been unprovoked firing aimlessly with heavy weapons.
“They are shooting from the car that is moving front and back in the Ka Mong Kon billiard yard. If they felt suspicious and would hit the civilian with an RPG, only the civilians were harmed. They are afraid to die and that is why they shoot from people’s houses.” said a resident of Kawkareik Town.
Residents said that in addition to the fact that the military council troops are firing heavy weapons, they have also placed ambushes in the villages around Kawkareik Town, and patrolled the town with military vehicles at night.
“Soldiers are guarding the south side of the creek. They are patrolling in the evening. Yesterday, there were about 4 vehicles. They came from the south side of the creek. They did not dare to go towards Asia Road. On the last day, they shot from a villager’s house and so a large weapon fell near the creek, Maung Ma Tea Shop but fortunately, no one was hit,” said a resident who did not wish to be named.
Clashes are taking place in Kawkareik township almost every day, and due to the military council firing large weapons and aerial bombardment, in the whole month of July, 9 local people in Kawkareik Township were injured, 12 local people’s pets died, and 5 public homes were destroyed.
News – Ko Phyo
Photo: Cj
Phar Si Than (People’s Radio Myanmar)
