Thousands flee Myanmar air strikes as conflict escalates
- A second day of bombing in Kayah state, which borders Thailand, where several militia groups have been challenging the junta’s rule for months
- A rescuer said heavy bombardment was complicating efforts to move civilians to relief camps, and ‘thousands are stuck’
Myanmar’s deployed ground troops and launched air and artillery strikes against rebel forces in the country’s east, witnesses, local media and an aid group said on Thursday, prompting thousands of people to flee.
Bombardments were carried out for a second day in Nan Mei Khon village in Kayah, a state bordering Thailand where soldiers have met months of resistance from the Karenni National Defence Force (KNDF), one of several militia groups that is challenging the junta’s rule.
Myanmar’s council could not immediately be reached for comment on Thursday and state media outlets have not mentioned the fighting.
The Free Burma Rangers, a relief organisation operating in the area, shared footage from a day earlier of houses ablaze in the village with the sound of artillery exploding nearby.
“Bombing again today on 24 February 2022. Also mortar attacks and infantry assault in this area. Thousands fleeing again,” the group’s founder, David Eubank, said in a text message. Eubank said two people were killed and three were wounded on Wednesday. The Myanmar Now news site reported three were killed in another village attacked by a jet on Wednesday.
A KNDF representative was unable to confirm reports of casualties but said heavy fighting had taken place since Wednesday. Reuters was unable to independently verify the information.
The ruled Myanmar for five decades until 2011 but is struggling to consolidate power this time as it faces protests in cities, armed conflict on several fronts and sanctions imposed to isolate generals who overthrew a democratically elected government last year.