Thai authorities along the country’s northwestern border have braced themselves for a possible influx of more ethnic Karen villagers fleeing new airstrikes from the Myanmar military.
According to Free Burma Rangers, a humanitarian relief agency, Myanmar military aircraft on Sunday night carried out three strikes.
The humanitarian relief agency delivers medical and other assistance to villagers.
It has been reported that the strikes had possibly injured many.
Today the Burma Army continued its airstrikes in 5 areas in Lu Thaw Township, Mu Traw District. There is reason to believe that the soldiers responsible will launch this airstrike again in the villages along the Salween River, Mae Nu Hta, Kho Kay including Ei Htu Hta IDP camp. pic.twitter.com/FKgf68qflv
— Karen Women Organization (@karenwomenorg) March 28, 2021
It has been estimated that over 3,000 people have crossed the river dividing the two countries into Thailand’s Mae Hong Son province following two days of aerial attacks.
Thousands of villagers, including many young children, have fled from their homes. They carried their possessions in bundles and baskets.
Thousands flee to Thailand after Myanmar army’s air strikes on villages: activist group, media https://t.co/eUaOkKs7Z1 pic.twitter.com/ML54bxvjc6
— Reuters (@Reuters) March 28, 2021
Earlier, Myanmar military aircrafts dropped bombs on a Karen guerrilla position in an area on the Salween River in Karen state’s Mutraw district.
Two guerrillas were killed and many more were wounded in those attacks, said a member of the Free Burma Rangers.
Moreover, on Saturday night, two Myanmar military planes bombed Deh Bu Noh village, Mutraw district twice, killing at least two villagers.
The attacks can be considered as a retaliation for the Karen National Liberation Army. The liberation army has been fighting for greater autonomy for the Karen people.
These airstrikes mark an escalation in the increasingly violent crackdown by the Myanmar government against opponents of the February 1 military takeover.
At least 114 people across the country were killed by security forces on Saturday alone, including several children. This death toll has prompted a U.N. human rights expert to accuse the junta of committing “mass murder”.
According to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, since the takeover, at least 459 people have been killed.
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