July 7th, 2022
A 26-year-old man was shot dead in a clash between junta forces and a coalition of Karenni Nationalities Defence Force (KNDF) and Karenni Army (KA) in Lawpita village tract in Loikaw Township, Karenni State on July 6, according to locals.
“The fighting broke out near the school in Lawkahtu village. Only then did they strike with heavy weapons. Four or five artillery shells exploded in the village. But one who was killed is not because of the heavy weapons. He was peeking out in front of the house when he was hit in the head. It was because of a small weapon,” said a local man.
The fighting between the State Administration Council (SAC) troops and a coalition force of KNDF and KA broke out the day before yesterday from morning to evening.
It is reported that the SAC used several artillery shells and also air strikes.
Details of the fighting are not yet known, and the KNDF has not released any information about the incident.
A member of Shwe Nyaung Pin social welfare group said they evacuated some residents of the village due to the heavy artillery fire.
“They called for help by phone in the middle of the fighting. So, we had to ask for permission. We evacuated about 80 people yesterday.
We went there with three cars and took them. On the way there, we had to pass checkpoints. It was like we were going to the front line,” said a member of the Shwe Nyaung Pin social welfare group.
He added that some local residents were still trapped from yesterday’s fighting and that they would only take those from permitted villages.
Other local welfare groups have also announced on their social media pages that they are also willing to help evacuate residents trapped by the fighting and can be contacted if needed.
“They struck first with artillery fire. Four or five artillery shells fell near the house. The shells that fell in the tree branches didn’t explode. They didn’t hit any houses. So many smaller shells fell on the roadside. If they fire in the south of the school, many houses in our village will be damaged. Right now, the first military column is advancing to the south,” said a resident about the artillery fire of the junta troops in the village.
The Lawpita village tract in Loikaw includes 10 villages. Locals say they fear clashes because the SAC often deploys its troops in the area. In addition, one woman says they from live hand to mouth and worry that they will not be able to harvest their crops.
“There are many things we have to worry about. There used to be armed clashes far away from us. But now they are happening nearby and we are worried. And we are surrounded by SAC troops and have nowhere to hide. We don’t know where to flee to or seek shelter. Even if we decide to flee to a safer place, we will have difficulty getting food. And we are also worried that we won’t be able to harvest our crops when the harvest season starts soon. We’re just ordinary people living from hand to mouth,” says a local woman.
As of June 30th, a total of 241 civilians have been killed by SAC since the military coup on February 1st, 2021, according to data released by the Progressive Karenni People Force (PKPF) on June 30th.
KNDF information officers have urged the public to travel with caution and keep an eye on the situaton due to the recent fighting in in Karenni State.
Sent by Maw Mi Myar (The Kantarawaddy Times)