Increased fighting since 1 April in the Karen National Union (KNU) Brigade 2 controlled areas has forced villagers to flee their homes.

On the morning of 1 April about 150 junta soldiers from the Light Infantry Division 44 and Training Depot No.5 attacked Baudhikone Village in Karen State’s Leiktho Township.

That afternoon they were attacked by a local guerrilla group, the Northern Thandaung Defenc, Force (NTDF) between the villages of Thazi and Malaukchaung and killed five junta soldiers, including an officer. An NTDF fighter was also injured in the fighting.

According to locals, people have been fleeing from the villages the junta army is entering.

Following the 1 April attack, there was fighting in six villages in nearby Yedashe Township in Bago Region that was still ongoing on 5 April, the time of reporting. The junta also launched three airstrikes against the villages.

People’s defence forces (PDFs) involved in the fighting said they could give no further details for security reasons.