Many residents of Kyaukkyi Township in Bago Region’s Taungoo District were forced to flee to safer locations because of heavy junta artillery fire on 12 June, according to Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) Brigade 3.

A KNLA Brigade 3 officer said to Mizzima: “The military junta's Infantry Battalion 60 and Ogre Column fired heavy weapons at 9:00 pm on 12 June, three more times around 10:30 pm (on the same day), and five more times in the early morning around 1:00 am on 13 June.

Infantry Battalion 60 is stationed in Thanbo Village, Kyaukkyi Township and the Ogre Column has recently moved into the township after starting to invade the KNLA Brigade 3 area in late May it has moved through Mone Township and is now in Kyaukkyi Township.

Both the military units have been firing heavy weapons in Kyaukkyi Township since 12 June causing villagers from 10 villages in the township to flee for their own safety.

The KNLA officer said: “The villages are Natthankwin, Duangmo, Tawkyaungpauk, Wapinsu, Thaungpu, Yetwinkonekyi, Yetwinkonelay, Okshikin, Ohnpinsu, and Thapyaykone. People from those villages moved to the internally displaced people (IDP) camp and nearby areas where their relatives live. It is raining right now as well.”

Currently the exact location of the IDP camp is unknown.

There are many elderly people and children amongst those who fled and the heavy rainfall has exacerbated their poor living conditions and healthcare needs, according to a Kyaukkyi resident.

They said: “The difficulties affect the elderly and children. Young adults are relatively unaffected. The situation got a lot worse due to the heavy rain. Most of the elderly people were ill because they didn't have enough stamina. The main thing we need right now is medications and shelters.“