Locals report civilian casualties in Kyondoe Town and surrounding villages in Kawtkareik Township, Karen State, due to ongoing artillery fire between opposing armies.
Currently, joint resistance forces are attacking military junta positions in Kyondoe, including Light Infantry Battalions 545 and 546, as well as other defense outposts, with heavy weapons.
The junta forces are retaliating with artillery, resulting in damage to civilian homes and injuries to residents.
On the morning of 19 May, a displaced male schoolteacher was killed by artillery fire while returning to check on his home in Kyun Ka Lay village near Kyondoe, after junta troops shelled the area, according to local residents.
“When the fighting in Kyondoe quieted down a bit, people started returning to check on their homes. Many displaced people have been going back and forth like this. Yesterday, a schoolteacher from Kyunkalay went to check on his house and was killed by artillery shelling. Some say he was riding a bicycle when a shell exploded nearby,” said a man from Kyondoe.
The fighting in the area began in mid-April when joint resistance forces attacked junta outposts along the Kyondoe-Kawtkareik road.
Since then, the junta has conducted targeted airstrikes and artillery attacks on villages, according to locals.
Meanwhile, resistance groups continue to attack junta outposts and conduct drone strikes.
“Right now, we continue to attack and capture junta outposts along the Kawtkareik-Kyondoe road. The junta troops can no longer launch offensives; they’re stuck in defensive mode. That’s why they’re randomly shelling from Kyondoe with heavy weapons. We’re also fighting back. There aren’t many junta outposts left along that road,” said a resistance fighter in the Kawtkareik area.
Artillery shells fired from both sides have landed in villages and on homes, causing civilian casualties and property damage, according to residents.
Amid ongoing military tensions between the junta and resistance forces, the junta continues to deliberately target schools, religious buildings, and villages not involved in the fighting with airstrikes and artillery.
Sent by IMNA.
