About 1,000 Karen people from Phaluu village in Wor Lay area fled to Thailand yesterday afternoon, fearing gun battles because the Burmese Army and BGF forces arrived in Wor Lay area in Myawaddy district.

Over 100 soldiers from Burmese Army’s Infantry Battalion No. 62 and BGF forces are being deployed in Kanaelay, and Bayintnaung hill, according to a KNU medic.

“There might be gun fights in this area. Therefore, we told them (villagers) to flee to Thailand, especially the women and children. Only a few men are left in the village,” he added.

Clashes can break out at any time because DKBA Brigade 5 and KNLA soldiers are lying in wait on the route of the Burmese Army and the BGF, according to a KNLA source.

The Karen refugees, who fled from Phaluu village, are taking refuge in Mae Kukay village near Mawli Chai village in Photphra township, Thailand. Civilian aid-groups are helping them, according to Mawli Chai villagers.

According to Myawaddy residents, the sound of heavy artillery firing was heard from Mae Htawthalay, southern Myawaddy town on November 25 night and the next morning but nobody knows what happened.