The Myanmar Army burned down 25 houses during its clash with resistance forces near Kayahpyonechaung village in Taungoo District, Bago Region – an area under the control of the Karen National Union (KNU) Brigade (2) – forcing residents to flee to safety, according to local sources.
On 12 November, the clashes between the two sides occurred after a combined column of military council forces from the 5 Mile and 7 Mile camps on the Taungoo-Tandaung road entered the village.
The villagers said the army entered the village and burned down the houses under the pretext that the villagers were harboring members of the People’s Defense Forces (PDF).
“The fighting broke out near the village. Then they came back and burned down the houses. They accused us for no reason. Every time there were clashes near a village, they burned down the houses of the village. They picked on the villagers because they couldn’t defeat the resistance forces. But no one was injured or killed. But all the villagers fled to safety,” a local told Karen Information Center on 14 November.
During the fighting, junta troops from the 7 Mile Battalion provided artillery support. The artillery shelling caused no casualties but forced at least 300 people from Kayahpyonechaung, Shanpyonechaung and Yaesinkone villages to flee to safety. According to reports, religious leaders and locals helped the displaced people.
“At the moment, we have arranged shelters for the displaced people. The churches have also contributed as much as they can,” said a local woman who is helping the displaced.
A local man helping the IDPs said that their efforts to deliver aid to the displaced are limited due to restrictions on food transportation in Thandaunggyi Township and they have to deliver the relief goods through nearby routes.
“We can’t confirm the exact number of people yet. We plan to provide them with supplies from friends and relatives. It is not possible to reach them through the Thandaung side. People can pass but transportation of other things like rice, cooking oil, salt and fish paste is restricted. So we have to go through the other side,” he said.
Myanmar Army’s ambush patrols are currently deployed around Kayahpyonechaung village. On 13 November, there was reportedly an exchange of fire between them and the resistance forces.
Similarly, on 14 September, military council troops entered the villages of Kayahpyonechaung and Shanpyonechaung and burned down 11 houses on suspicion, arrested and interrogated two villagers, after which the residents fled.
Sent by KIC.