More than 1,000 people who fled to Bilin Township in Thaton District during a resistance offensive to capture the junta’s Ka Taing Ti camp in the Karen National Union (KNU) Brigade 5 Area are still unable to return home, facing significant food and livelihood challenges, according to the displaced people.
The Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) and allied forces have been attacking the junta base in Ka Taing Ti since December 2024. Due to retaliatory fire from the junta side, residents from villages near the base have been displaced for nearly two months.
During the conflict, over 1,000 people from villages near the Ka Taing Ti base, including Ka Taing Ti, Baw Kyoet Lel, Zee Kone, Ku Lar Kone, and May Baw Khee, fled to Bilin Township. With no means to earn a living, they are struggling with long-term food security, according to a displaced man from Ka Taing Ti.
“When the fighting started, the junta troops fired heavy weapons into the village. Fearing for the children’s safety, we sent them away first. We adults stayed behind to work on our sesame and paddy fields. But when it became impossible to stay any longer, we all had to flee starting in December. The authorities are helping, but I have a lot of children. There’s no work here,” the man explained.
Among the more than 1,000 IDPs, women and children make up the majority. They are currently scattered across safer areas within Bilin Township.
Although the IDPs have moved away from the conflict zone, they report that the junta airstrikes remain a threat. The food support provided by KNU officials is insufficient for the many families, they explained when describing their situation.
A displaced woman from Ka Taing Ti said: “We’ve been on the run since 13 December when we heard they were going to capture the camp. When we fled, we brought some food with us. But in the long term, it’s getting tough. In the meantime, we’re surviving on what organizations like the KWO [Karen Women’s Organization] give us.”
The displaced people also mentioned that they have had to relocate multiple times due to junta airstrikes, causing shelter problems. They expressed hope that relevant authorities would arrange safe places for them to stay.
During the KNLA and allied forces’ offensive to capture the Ka Taing Ti base late last year, the junta troops withdrew from their position. However, they continue to resist from the former location of Border Guard Force (BGF) Battalion-1013 near the area, and fighting continues to this day.
During the conflict period, the military junta has carried out airstrikes on areas surrounding the base and continues to attack using both air power and heavy artillery, according to local sources.
Sent by KIC.
