“We have no other options left but to confront the serious threats posed by the illegitimate military junta’s army in order to defend our territory, our Karen people and our right to self-determination”, according to the statement released by the KNU Brigade-5 Mutraw District (Hpapun District) on March 30th.

Since March 27th, a series of bombing raids carried out by airforce planes including in five areas of Luthaw Township, forced more than 10,000 villagers out of their homes, into jungle hideouts and about 5,000 fled across the Salween river to Thai –Burmese border seeking food and medical aid.

The KNU statement continued “We are very concerned about the safety and security of our civilians. We sincerely urge the international community, including the Royal Thai Government, to provide necessary humanitarian assistance and protection to our people fleeing from the current onslaught of the Burmese military.”

The KNU also appealed to the international community to refuse recognition of this illegitimate military junta, to cut all ties with them including military and economic relationships. The international community should pressure the fascist Burma military to immediately stop the use of military weapons against civilians, which constitutes crimes against humanity.” 

Currently the fighting between the army and the KNU Brigade-5 started in the KNU-controlled area since March 27th. The fighting is also taking place in the KNU Brigade-3 area which shares the border with the KNU Brigade-5.

The KWO (the Karen Women’s organization) said the military’s killing spree did not stop at Day Bu No, as bombing continued on March 28 in five areas of Luthaw Township driving more than 10,000 villagers out of their homes and into jungle hideouts. More than 3,000 displaced villagers from Mae Nu Hta, Kho Kay and Ei Tu Hta camps, crossed the Salween. Around 2,000 were allowed to enter the border area but international ngos based in Thailand are still seeking permission to supply aid.

The army used the heavy weapons and carried out airstrikes. The war victims are in need of food, water and other assistance. Most of victims are children, pregnant women, the elderly and the sick persons, according to the Karen CSOs.   Thai authorities are known to have refused entry to more than 2000 IDPs forcing them to hide in the forest inside Myanmar side of the border.