1,000 villagers flee artillery attack in Win Ye Township
July 7, 2023
HURFOM: Since June 28, 2023, the military junta has launched artillery attacks targeting villages in Win Ye Township, a township controlled by the Karen National Union (KNU) and located in Kyarinnseikyi Township, Karen State. More than 1,000 villagers from five surrounding villages have fled from their homes.
The 318th artillery battalion based in Ah Bit village, Mudon Township, Mon State is responsible for launching the attacks. The shells have dropped and exploded in Kha Lae, Ta Gon Die, Pu Lane, Myo Haung and Nyein Chan Myine villages.
“The military thinks the KNU and the PDF are active in the area and they’ve launched the artillery attacks,” said a villager.
Government schools in Ka Lae – Ta Gon Die village tract are closed due to the attacks.
“The schools are closed after having been open for a month. I don’t know if it’s due to security concerns or the artillery attacks. We’ve heard the sound of artillery attacks every night from that (Kha Lae – Ta Gon Die) side,” said one parent from Nan Tie Tun village.
Villagers who fled are in need of food, shelter and emergency health assistance. It is now the rainy season, making things even more difficult.