28 March 2024 /

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Three civilian family members injured in Loikaw clash

Three members of a local family were reportedly injured in a clash between military council troops and a joint force of the Karenni Army (KA) and the Karenni Nationalities Defence Force (KNDF) in Loikaw Township, Karenni (Kayah) State.

During the skirmish, which lasted almost all day, the three family members were wounded by artillery shells fired indiscriminately at Loilenlay village by the Loikaw-based Artillery Unit 250 of the regime army, and the fence of the house was also damaged, residents said.

“The artillery shells didn’t hit the house directly, but landed in the yard. They were hit by shrapnel while walking in the yard. The yard fence was also damaged,” said a 42-year-old man who was helping the victims.

According to reports, the villagers were hit when the regime’s artillery unit stationed in Loikaw fired artillery indiscriminately at least ten times. As a result of the artillery fire, artillery shrapnel pierced the left arm of U Kyaw Win, 54, and two toes of his left leg were severed.

His wife Daw May Zin Nyunt and 21-year-old daughter Ma Than Than Soe were also slightly injured by shell fragments on their right arms.

After the shelling, all three were taken to Loikaw General Hospital in time. However, U Kyaw Win, who was seriously injured, will have to stay in the hospital for half a month and undergo steel rod grafting in his arm, people helping the victims said.

“The clashes often erupt near Loilenlay village and subside some time later. Some people then flee to safety, others stay. The whole village has never fled. Some people come to our village to seek safety. It would be difficult for them if they had to flee again. This is the first time the village has been hit by artillery shells,’ he continued.

Similarly, on August 9 last year, regime airstrikes on Dawparpa village burned down a house and a clinic, killing one person and seriously injuring two others.

According to villagers, nearly 5,000 people live in Loilem village tract, displaced by the war from Demoso and Hpruso Townships.

As of January 17, this year, two civilians have been killed and six injured by light and heavy weapons shelling by military council troops in Karenni State, according to people helping the displaced.

Sent by NMG.

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