More than 2,000 locals have fled to safer places as the military council carried out airstrike in the clash between local resistance forces and the military council on Taungoo- Leiktho-Loikaw road in Yardo village in northern Thandaunggyi Township, Karen State on 11 July, according to local news sources.
At around 6 am on 11 July, the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) and a combined force attacked the military council camp in the upper Yardo village. Then, the military council carried out attacks four times by helicopter, displacing locals from Yardo, Kalayhta, Warthawkho and Payalso villages, according to locals.
A local woman said: “Six houses were burned down. Fighting has displaced more than 2,000 locals from four villages. The Internally Displaced People (IDPs) from Kayah (Karenni) state are taking refuge here as the region shares a border with Karenni state. They also have to flee. Currently, the IDPs are taking shelter in the forests.”
The military council carried out airstrikes mainly on Yardo and Warthawkho villages. There were no reports of casualties as locals could flee the village in advance, a man helping the IDPs in northern Thandaunggyi Township and Karenni State.
“When villagers began hearing the sound of gunshots, they ran and hid in the forests on the other side of the road. Currently, as far as I know, no one was hurt. The camp was attached to Yardo village. The revolutionary forces have been taking a longer period of time to attack the camp. We have to withdraw when the air force comes. Currently, the military council has deployed more troops at that camp. No one dares to return to the village,” he explained.
The combined force which attacked Yardo camp covers the KNLA, the Northern Thandaung Defense Force (NTDF) and the Karenni Nationalities Defense Force (KNDF). It is initially learned that there were injuries on both sides in the fighting. The Karen Information Center (KIC) is still contacting officials for further confirmation.
Since the military coup, there were more than 70 battles between the military council and the resistance forces in northern Thandaunggyi Township in Karen State. The military council suffered heavy casualties, according to the resistance forces.
The IDPs are in danger of heavy shelling and landmines in addition to airstrikes, the persons helping the IDPs said.
Locals said they are facing difficulty in road transportation and the purchase of rations due to the military council’s restriction of rice transport and tightened inspections.
Sent by KIC