Airstrikes, bombs, force over 3000 to flee to Thailand

Over 3000 villagers fled Myanmar on foot arriving in Thailand on Sunday amid airstrikes/bombs by fighter jets.

CAPE TOWN, March 28 (ANA) – Thousands of villagers from Myanmar’s southeastern Karen state have reportedly fled to Thailand after Myanmar’s military’s air attacks.

Over 3000 villagers fled on foot through the jungle on Saturday night, arriving in Thailand on Sunday, the Associated Press (AP) reported.

On Sunday afternoon, the military bombed the area along the Salween River and Mutraw district which killed and injured several civilians, a member of the Free Burma Rangers, which deliver medical assistance, said to Associated Press.

According to the Karen Women’s Organisation (KWO), Myanmar’s military conducted airstrikes on five Mutraw district areas, including a refugee camp.

“At the moment, villagers are hiding in the jungle as more than 3,000 crossed to Thailand to take refuge,” the statement from KWO said.

Three villagers were killed, and eight were wounded in an attack by fighter jets on Kawthoolei, according to the Karen National Union (KNU).

This ethnic group governs the south-eastern region (Karen state).

“There were multiple airstrikes, and what was very different for us is we haven’t had airstrikes there for over 20 years,” David Eubank, founder of the humanitarian group Free Burma Rangers, told Sky News.

According to Associated Press, the airstrikes might be revenge for the Karen National Liberation Army, the KNU’s armed wing, targeting and capturing a government military outpost early Saturday.

The armed group agreed to a truce in 2015, but tensions have risen after the military overthrew Aung San Suu Kyi’s civilian government in a coup on February 1.

The KNU and the Restoration Council of Shan State have denounced the military occupation and pledged their support for popular resistance, according to Al Jazeera.

– African News Agency (ANA); Editing by Devereaux Morkel