April 19th, 2022
A combined force of the military council and the Border Guard Force (BGF) is carrying out the aerial surveillance in addition to the firing of heavy weapons into Lay Kay Kaw, Thingannyinaung and Hteemuhta areas in Dupalaryar District ( Brigade-6) which is under the control of the Karen National Union (KNU), according to the ground sources.
At 10 pm on April 18th, the combined force fired heavy weapons into these areas where the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) may be active. At 12 midnight and on the morning of April 19th, the military council carried out aerial surveillance, a news source close to the KNLA.
“There was a clash near Battalion-355 in Nyinaung at around 10 pm. The military fired heavy weapons into the villages via Nyinaung strategic hill. Fighting also erupted in Lay Kay Kaw last night. Heavy shelling was reported. There were no reports of casualties from our side. The surveillance flight was flying last night. At around 6 am today, a jet fighter was flying here. But the military did not conduct airstrikes,” he said.
Fighting is taking place in Wawlay, Kanaelay and Mawkhee. Fighting may continue as long as the combined force of the military council and the BGF is increasing deployments of troops, he added.
In April, 2022, there were 55 clashes between the KNLA and a combined force of the military council troops and the BGF, in the Brigade-6 territorial area under the KNU during 15 days. The clashes killed 87 soldiers from the military council and the BGF and wounded 45 others, according to the KNU’s statement.
Twelve members of the KNLA were killed and 17 others wounded. In addition, four locals were killed in the fighting, according to the KNU’s statement.
The clashes between the KNLA and the military council destroyed houses, religious buildings and churches and displaced around 30,000 IDPs in the Brigade-6 territorial area under the KNU.
The IDPs are still taking shelter near Thaungyin River on Thai-Myanmar border and in the villages on the other bank of Haungthayaw River in the south of Kawkareik.
Sent by the KIC.