NarinjaraNews, April 9, 2023

Fighting between the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) and themilitary-backed Border Guard Force (BGF) is intensifying in Shwe Kokko nearMyawaddy of Karen State.

The number of Myanmar civilians who fled to Thailand has exceeded 8,000,according to the Bangkok post.

On the morning of Thursday, over 1,000 Myanmar people crossed the border toseek refuge in Tak Province’s Mae Sot and Mae Ramat District after clashesbetween ethnic groups and the Myanmar military continued.

More than 1,000 people fled across the border into Tak’s Mae Sot and MaeRamat districts on Thursday as fighting continued nearby between Myanmarmilitary troops and Karen fighters.

The Myanmar military and Karen National Liberation Army are involved in afierce struggle around villages in the Shwe Kokko economic zone. The villagesare opposite Ban Wang Takhian Tai village in Mae Sot district and Ban Wang Phavillage in Mae Ramat district of Tak.

On Thursday morning the two sides fired mortar shells and rocket-propelledgrenades at close range. There were a lot of casualties on both sides.

Wounded people have been rushed to Mae Sot and Mae Ramat hospitals, wheresome were reported to have died.

More than 1,000 people displaced by the fighting crossed the firstThai-Myanmar friendship bridge on Thursday morning, seeking entry on borderpasses – mostly women, children and elderly people.

Their arrival brought the number of recent refugees from Myanmar in Mae Sotand Mae Ramat districts to more than 8,000. Local government officials,soldiers and police were taking care of them, with donations of food fromtownspeople in Mae Sot district.

A refugee said many houses and some temples had suffered major damage andresidents were fleeing for their lives. Many families left only one person athome.