The military council conducted aerial strikes near Kha Lel Day camp in Hlaingbwe Township, Hpa-An District, within the Karen National Union (KNU) Brigade-7 area, dropping over 20 bombs on the morning of 24 March, according to local sources.
The military council provided aerial support using jet fighters and a Y-12 plane for the Kha Lel Day village-based camp, which is the closest to the KNU headquarters and has been blocked by the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) and its allies.
Around 11 am on 24 March, the military council dropped four high-explosive bombs from a jet fighter. By the afternoon, the junta dropped over 10 more bombs, using a Y-12 plane.
A local woman living near the camp said, “Around 2 pm, the jet fighter arrived. It dropped three bombs at 2:15 pm, and a few minutes later, it dropped three more. At one point, it dropped three bombs consecutively. But the morning attacks were even worse. The jet fighter flew almost directly over our heads. Aerial bombing is terrifying. Even at night, I just have to go into the ravine and listen.”
The extent of civilian casualties and damage caused by the junta’s airstrikes is still under investigation.
Eyewitnesses report that most locals near the Kha Lel Day camp have temporarily fled the fighting, crossing the Thaungyin River into Thailand for safety.
According to local sources on the Thai border, since 23 March, locals—mainly children, women, and the elderly—have fled to Thailand due to the gunfire near the camp.
Thai authorities are providing the necessary assistance to those who have crossed the border.
Additionally, some Thai news reports indicate that the Thai Air Force is conducting patrols and surveillance along the Thaungyin River with two aircraft, in response to the ongoing fighting near the border between the two countries.
In 2025, frequent clashes have been taking place between the armed forces in Brigade-7 territory. On 14 March, the KNLA and its allied forces captured the Pulu Tu camp in Paingkyon Township.
During the battle to capture the camp, the military council launched airstrikes, forcing the locals to flee to Thailand for nearly a month.
Sent by KIC