Military advance and artillery attacks force villagers to flee

August 6, 2025

HURFOM: Since the third week of July, 2025, the military junta has been reinforcing their troop presence, and launching constant artillery attacks along the Kaw Ka Rate – Kyone Doe Highway Road, Kaw Ka Rate Township, Karen State, forcing residents from 13 villages to flee their homes.

The junta sent more than 200 troops to the area. Thousands of residents from Kyune Ka Lay, Nyi Nyar Thar Lin, Lay Tie, Ngar Tie, Ye Bu Gyi, Taung Phyar, Koe Tie, Kaw War Lell, Kaw Pha Low, Kaw Ka Mar and Kaw Pha Lan villages and Kyone Doe Town had fled their residences.

“The junta has reinforced their troops during the heavy rainy season, and the resistance groups have had to retreat from the area. The junta has been launching artillery attacks every day,” said a social worker who helps the displaced community.

Most displaced villagers have taken temporary shelter in the Yoe Mahar village tract in monasteries and schools in Hpa-An Township.

“There is a flood now and it’s difficult to travel. We also have no phone signal. The security checks are very rigorous and junta troops ask lots of questions to those who came to provide food to the displaced villagers. Now, aid groups dare not come to us,” said a displaced man.

In June, 2025, the junta’s troops arrested 24-year-old Saw Aung Myo Htwe aka Ah Pyone Lay and has not released him as of today.

“After the armed clash broke out, he remained in the village to protect his house. But the situation was getting worse and he tried to flee home with a million cash in hand. The junta’s troops arrested him and his bike in front of the Kyone Doe Police Station. We’ve lost contact with him as of today,” said a local man.

With the military reinforcing their troop numbers during the rainy season, residents worry there will be armed clashes at the end of the rainy season.

Written by HURFOM · Filed Under News