April 25th, 2022
Battalion No.4 (headquarters) of the Karen National Defense Organization (KNDO) under No.2 Brigade of the Karen National Union (KNU), issued a warning letter dated April 25th, calling for the complete withdrawal of its troops from two army camps which cause danger and fear to the locals, within 15 days as from April 25th.
Locals are living in fear due to the military council’s Kyeechaung camp and 48th mile Koeday camp in the KNDO’s No.4 battalion-controlled area under the KNU’s Brigade No.2 in Htantabin Township in Taungoo District.
Mines planted by the military council hamper the daily lives of locals. Locals are also worried about the military council’s indiscriminate shooting.
“That letter is real. The KNDO discussed that matter in the previous months,” a person close to the battalion told the KIC.
In the letter, the KNDO said the existence of military camps is totally unacceptable. The military council is to carry out the withdrawal of troops from two army camps within 15 days after the issuance of the letter.
It would not take responsibility for damages and losses if the situation remains unchanged.
On April 20th, the KNDO’s Battalion No.2 (headquarters) issued a letter calling on the Border Guard Force (BGF) and the military council camps stationed in Lay Kay and Win Tar Pan villages in the KNU’s No.1 Brigade areas, to withdraw not later than 23th April.
If not, the KNDO would take stern military action.
The KNDO attacked the military council troops and the BGF as they failed to withdraw after the issuance of the letter.
There was intense fighting. The military council carried out indiscriminate firing of heavy weapons into nearby areas.
The BGF stationed at Lay Kay and Win Tar Pan villages have closed the roads and restricted the movements of locals after the issuance of a letter by the Battalion No.2 headquarters of the KNDO under the KNU in Bilin Township.
Locals near the area have fled to safer places as the military tension may mount, according to the KNU’s statement.
Sent by the KIC.