Local residents are concerned about further bombings following military council airstrikes on a monastery in Ngapuinn new village and Hlwasinkone junction in Kyaikmayaw Township, Mon State, on 19 July.
The news has emerged of the junta’s offensive into Kyaikmayaw Township. Local concerns are growing over the potential resurgence of conflict, attributed to the presence of Karen armed resistance forces at the MCL cement factory, as well as in the villages of Kawt Thut and Kawt Panaw, according to a local woman.
“Two days ago, a junta plane was flying over the area. Karen soldiers are on standby, as the junta forces may advance into the area by land. The junta plane came here to inspect the bodies of those killed and their belongings,” added the local woman.
On 19 July, the military council bombed the Ngapuinn village monastery and Hlwasinkone junction, killing at least 10 locals including children and more than 10 members of resistance force and injuring at least 20 others, she said.
After the bombing, locals from Ngapuinn, Ngapyema, Hlwazinkone and nearby villages have fled to the plantation while some have sought refuge in the town, a local said.
“Only few people have fled as they are afraid of soldiers. Karen soldiers have controlled the area as they are active there. There is no strict inspection as Karen locals are freely moving around. Locals are concerend about aerial bomings by the junta” the local said.
Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA), Democratic Karen Benevolent Army (DKBA), joint resistance force and Border Guard Force (BGF) are active in that region, even though the military council has not yet launched an offensive there, according to locals.
The force led by Saw Eh Say Wah, White Tiger column, Galone column, Dawna column, Mon National Liberation Army and Mya Sandi column are active in the area where the military council conducted airstrikes with a jet fighter, according to the revolutionary force.
The schools have remained closed due to security concerns since the army bombed the schools in Ngapuin and Hlwazinkone villages on 19 July, a teacher from that region.
Kyaikmayaw Township in Mon State experienced the highest number of airstrikes, followed by Ye Township as the second most affected by airstrikes.
In the first six months of 2024, over 70 civilians including children and women, were killed and more than 120 others injured by the junta’s airstrikes and artillery shelling, according to the Lagoon Eain Revolution Newsletter.
Sent by IMNA.