Junta’s artillery and air attacks bar villagers from returning to their homes

October 8, 2024

HURFOM: On August 18^th, 2024, the Karen National Liberation Army and its alliance forces attacked the junta’s strategic regiment in Ah Nan Kwin village, Kyarinnseikyi Township, Karen State resulting in an intense battle.

The junta responded with artillery and aerial attacks forcing the displacement of more than 4,000 residents from Ah Nan Kwin, Lot Shan, Ta Nyin, Kyuak Be Lu, Than Pa Yar, Phar Yar, Pan Aung, Pu Taw, Yet Phaw, Ka Ka Thti, Khun Na War, Win Kha Na, Phar Pya, Kyet Chan and Kha Lell Saw villages.

Now, there has been no military movement around Ah Nan Kwin region but the junta continued to launch frequent artillery and aerial attacks and has barred villagers from returning to their homes.

“We have been displaced from our homes for four weeks now. Before, we could return home after fleeing for five or ten days. But now, the junta’s air attack has prevented us from returning home. They’ve targeted the residential areas with their artillery attacks,” said a displaced person from Ah Nan Kwin village.

Villagers have fled to Thanbyuzayat or Mawlamyine, some have hidden in nearby forests and mountains. The length of time being displaced is creating serious hardships and people are in urgent need of household items and medicine.

“There were heavy rains in August and the displaced villagers who have taken shelter at the base of the mountain are in huge trouble. They want to go outside by motorbike to buy food but they’re afraid of air attacks,” said one social worker.

A single Ah Nan Kwin village has about 500 displaced persons. HURFOM has been informed that there has been no individual or organization who provides support to those displaced, many of whom are sheltering in the forests and mountains.

The junta has cut off telecommunication networks around Ah Nan Kwin village and also blocked the Thanbyuzayat-Three Pagoda Pass Highway Road after 6 pm.

Written by Modinator · Filed Under News