Locals said they are fearful of the military council’s bombings as jet fighters are flying in the sky of Kyarinseikgyi in Karen State, which saw intense fighting between the military council and local resistance forces.
There were clashes near the artillery force, the Light Infantry Battalion-32 and the downtown areas in Kyarinseikgyi where the junta soldiers were stationed at night on January 8. On the morning of January 9, the military council’s jet fighters were flying.
“Jet fighters arrive here whenever fighting occurs. Jet fighters also arrive at night. The situation is not stable. Recently, the military dropped bombs with flights. We are fearful as they (military) carry out indiscriminate firing. We had heard the sounds of heavy shells yesterday night. I don’t know where to flee to. We have to hide when jet fighters arrive,” a local told the KIC.
On January 4, two workers from a rubber plantation were hit and wounded by heavy shrapnel as the military council dropped bombs on the town which saw intense fighting.
The military council conducted airstrikes every day when there were clashes. Locals have to hide only inside the homes as they have no place to flee to.
In addition, locals may face a shortage of rations if fighting lasts many days. The military council is carrying out indiscriminate firing of heavy weapons into the places and the villages where the revolutionary forces may station.
“Some people flee to safer places and the Internally Displaced People (IDP) camps. Some people have no place to hide in. They have to patiently stay in the town. The people will be in trouble if fighting is long. The military is stationed outside the town. Comrades from the forests shoot the military. They don’t attack the town. So, the military carried out indiscriminate firing of heavy shells into the villages and forest edges where the comrades may present. Villagers have to flee for safety,” a local told the KIC.
The resistance forces burned down some camps of the military council in the fighting in Kyarinseikgyi and Taungzun, which started on January 1. In response, the military council made more than five airstrikes. At least 15 members of the combined resistance force were killed in the airstrikes.
Nearly 100 junta soldiers were also killed in the fighting, the combined resistance force says.
From January 1 to 5, the military council carried out bombings which killed around ten civilians and displaced around 4,000 locals from Thanpayar, Taungzun, Winkhana, Khonekhan, Kyaukbalu, Koyaung and Sanpyay villages.
The IDPs are in urgent need of food, drinking water and medicine, according to those helping the IDPs.
Sent by KIC