In the Khalel-Tagundaing village tract of Kyainseikgyi Township, Karen State, intense clashes erupted between the Military Council troops and the joint forces of the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA). As a result, up to 2,000 residents have been forced to flee the area.
When the Military Council column entered Myoe Haung village in the Khalel-Tagundaing village tract on September 12, some residents initiated their evacuation.
Following this, the Military Council column conducting military operations clashed with the KNLA joint forces on the morning of September 14.
As the Military Council launched airstrikes during the conflict, residents of villages like Khalel Ywar Gyi, Khalel Ywar Lay, and Khalel Tagundaing in the Khalel-Tagundaing village tract were forced to flee.
"The conflict has been ongoing since September 14, and the situation took a turn for the worse on September 15 when I heard gunshots in the morning. Currently, we have approximately 2,000 war-displaced individuals. Some local residents started fleeing as soon as the military operations began, and with the recent escalation in fighting, the number of displaced people has continued to rise," reported a war-displaced individual.
At present, around 2,000 individuals are displaced, with the majority taking shelter in monasteries within nearby villages, while others are staying with close relatives and friends, as reported by residents.
"I'm currently residing in a nearby village. On September 14, it was raining heavily. As more people continued to flee the area, it became increasingly challenging to secure food, shelter, and transportation," stated another resident.
In the Khalel-Tagundaing village tract, situated within Dooplaya district, a territory of the Karen National Union (KNU) 6th Brigade, there have been frequent clashes between the Military Council troops and the joint forces of the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA).
In addition to the civilian casualties resulting from the conflict, Military Council troops have arrested and killed civilians, resulting in the forced displacement of thousands of local residents due to the ongoing fighting.
In Khalel-Tagundaing, an intense battle erupted between the Military Council troops and the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) joint forces in July. As a result, local residents from Naung Dayt, Pu Lein, Khalel, Tagundaing, and other villages in the region had to seek refuge for their safety.