LAY KAY KAW, Myanmar – Myanmar’s military launched air attacks and employed heavy artillery against a rebel-held territory near the Thai border, forcing hundreds of people to flee across a river into Thailand.
According to Thailand’s foreign ministry, new combat between the Myanmar military and the KNU erupted last week, and more than 4,200 people have crossed into Thailand since the violence began.
Earlier this week, Karen fighters requested that the United Nations enforce a no-fly zone around Lay Kay Kaw to safeguard civilians.
“The army has not been able to stabilize the country and dampen the tenacious resistance,” Michael Vatikiotis, Asia director at the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue, told the press.
Thailand has been under international pressure to deliver cross-border help, according to Vatikiotis.
“We must anticipate that this problem will get worse and that Thailand will try to send these people back,” Michael added.
At a news conference on Friday, Tanee Sangrat, a spokesperson for Thailand’s foreign ministry, said Bangkok was concerned about the recent violence, which also harmed Thais living along the border.
