An anonymous source on the frontline, where fighting between the Karen National Union (KNU) and regime forces continues in Hlaingbwe Township, told DVB that KNU Brigade 7 seized a regime outpost near Lel Paw He village on Sunday.
“The Myanmar Air Force has conducted [retaliatory] airstrikes two to three times a day [since Thursday], but the bombs have landed in the forest. The outpost was evacuated [on Monday],” said the source in Hlaingbwe, which is located 23 miles (37 km) northeast of the Karen State capital Hpa-An.
Over 500 Hlaingbwe residents fled their homes across the border into neighbouring Thailand due to fighting between the KNU armed wing, the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA), and the regime’s Aung Zeya column on Thursday.
Fighting between the KNU/KNLA and regime forces has been taking place across the border from Nong Bua village of Tak Province in Thailand.
The Thai authorities have been assisting 545 people from Myanmar who’ve fled their homes to seek safety in Thailand. The Bangkok Post newspaper reported that they are receiving humanitarian assistance.
A Thai army task force operating along the border told the media in Bangkok that the fighting in Myanmar has endangered lives and property in both countries.
It is concerned that incursions into Thailand may occur and has conducted a helicopter survey on March 1 in Nong Bua village, located along the Thai-Myanmar border.
In 2022, during fighting between the KNU/KNLA and regime forces over the Ukrit Hta military outpost in Karen State, a Myanmar Air Force fighter jet entered Thai airspace. This incident frightened local residents and led to school closures but didn’t lead to any response from Bangkok.
Fighting between KNLA-led resistance forces and the regime’s Aung Zeya column has been taking place along the Kawkareik-Myawaddy stretch of the Asia Highway in Karen State since April.
This regime counteroffensive began after the KNLA seized a military outpost in Myawaddy Township for 12 days. Myawaddy is located 80 miles (128 km) east of Hpa-An.
