14 dead and thousands flee armed clash in Taung Zun

January 10, 2023

HURFOM: On January 4 and 5, 2023, there was an armed clash between the Burmese army and the joint forces of the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) and the People Defense Forces (PDF) in Taung Zun village, of Kyarinnseikyi Township, Karen State.

Local sources told HURFOM, that at least 14 civilians have died and thousands have fled their homes,

During the two-day clash, the military junta launched artillery attacks and air assaults resulting in the death of many innocent villagers.

“The Karens are on the other side of the river bank and the Burmese army is on this side. The artillery attack directly hit the village. So many were injured and dead. The victims included elderly people and women,” said one merchant from Taung Zun.

The joint forces first attacked the base of the Border Guard Force near Taung Zun on January 1 and 2 and then continued to attack the military base.

“The villagers didn’t know how many Burmese soldiers or revolutionary force fighters had died. They just knew to run away, but they were not expecting this. Now, no one dares to stay in the village. They started to run away just after the first artillery attack hit their village. They didn’t know where the artillery attack came from –so many villagers have died,” continued the merchant.

The Burmese army routinely launches artillery and air assaults leaving villagers unable to find a safe place to hide.

According to local sources, more than 1,000 villagers have fled their homes due to this more recent armed clash.

Written by Modinator · Filed Under News