• Burmese
Sunday, June 22, 2025
No Result
View All Result
NEWSLETTER
The Irrawaddy
26 °c
Yangon
  • Home
  • News
    • Burma
    • Politics
    • World
    • Asia
    • Myanmar’s Crisis & the World
    • Ethnic Issues
    • War Against the Junta
    • Junta Cronies
    • Conflicts In Numbers
    • Junta Watch
    • Fact Check
    • Investigation
    • Myanmar-China Watch
    • Obituaries
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Opinion
    • Commentary
    • Guest Column
    • Analysis
    • Editorial
    • Stories That Shaped Us
    • Letters
  • Junta Watch
  • Ethnic Issues
  • War Against the Junta
  • In Person
    • Interview
    • Profile
  • Books
  • Donation
  • Home
  • News
    • Burma
    • Politics
    • World
    • Asia
    • Myanmar’s Crisis & the World
    • Ethnic Issues
    • War Against the Junta
    • Junta Cronies
    • Conflicts In Numbers
    • Junta Watch
    • Fact Check
    • Investigation
    • Myanmar-China Watch
    • Obituaries
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Opinion
    • Commentary
    • Guest Column
    • Analysis
    • Editorial
    • Stories That Shaped Us
    • Letters
  • Junta Watch
  • Ethnic Issues
  • War Against the Junta
  • In Person
    • Interview
    • Profile
  • Books
  • Donation
No Result
View All Result
The Irrawaddy
No Result
View All Result
Home News Burma

Villagers Flee Myanmar Junta Raids Near Thai Border

The Irrawaddy by The Irrawaddy
December 16, 2021
in Burma
Reading Time: 2 mins read
0 0
A A
Displaced Karen State villagers in temporary shelters on the Thai border on Dec. 16. / The Irrawaddy

Displaced Karen State villagers in temporary shelters on the Thai border on Dec. 16. / The Irrawaddy

6.1k
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

More than 1,000 residents have fled their homes near the Thai border due to fighting between Myanmar’s junta and the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA), with many civilians seeking shelter in Thailand.

Relief workers say the numbers will increase.

Military tensions rose after some 200 junta soldiers raided Lay Kay Kaw new town in Myawaddy Township, Karen State, on Tuesday, on suspicion that democracy activists and civilian resistance groups were in hiding.

RelatedPosts

Myanmar Junta Changes Election Law Ahead of Polls

Myanmar Junta Changes Election Law Ahead of Polls

June 20, 2025
656
Myanmar’s Aging Leaders Continue to Suffer in Junta Jails

Myanmar’s Aging Leaders Continue to Suffer in Junta Jails

June 19, 2025
981
The Lady Myanmar’s Generals Can’t Defeat

The Lady Myanmar’s Generals Can’t Defeat

June 19, 2025
655

The junta claimed last month that the Karen National Union (KNU), Myanmar’s oldest revolutionary force, was supporting and sheltering striking civil servants and armed resistance groups.

Several clashes occurred between junta troops and the KNLA, the armed wing of the KNU, in Lay Kay Kaw on Wednesday. Around 40 democracy activists were reportedly detained during the raid on the new town this week. The junta has not commented on the number of detainees.

Karen State villagers fleeing fighting cross the Thai border in mid-December. / The Irrawaddy

Junta troops allegedly sustained around 10 fatalities, including a commander. The Irrawaddy could not independently verify the reports.

On Thursday, fighting broke out in nearby Mae Htaw Talay village when junta reinforcements and its border guard force allies tried to enter Lay Kay Kaw.

A relief worker said fighting broke out when troops tried to reinforce trapped troops in the new town.

More than 50 artillery shells have been fired indiscriminately with Pahikalaw and Mae Htaw Talay villagers fleeing to Htee Mae Wah Khi village, the source said.

Lay Kay Kaw has around 3,000 residents with hundreds still trapped by fighting, residents said.

Karen armed groups are reportedly planning to help residents escape.

Karen State villagers near the Thai border in mid-December. / The Irrawaddy

A KNU source said: “People are sheltering in monasteries and temples. If there is another battle, those places will not be safe. Our troops are planning to relocate them.”

Displaced residents also face hardships because of the cold weather.

A displaced villager said: “We have few clothes as we could not carry much. I don’t know what will happen. It is very cold.”

He said the junta has been firing artillery into civilian areas since Wednesday night.

“The artillery is getting more frequent. It is non-stop. It makes the children cry. It is very loud,” he added.


You may also like these stories:

China Facilitates Myanmar Junta and Ethnic Armies’ Talks

Myanmar Junta Seizes Civilian Justice Minister’s Home

Hotelier Uses Ties to Myanmar Junta Chief to Build Hospitality Empire

Your Thoughts …
Tags: civil disobedience movementcivilian deathsCoupcrackdownDemocracyHuman RightsjuntaKaren National Liberation ArmyKaren National UnionKaren StateKNLAKNUmilitary in politicsmilitary regimeMin Aung HlaingNational League for DemocracyNational Unity GovernmentNovember 8 general electionPDFPeople’s Defense Forcepeople’s warPolitical PrisonersRule of LawState Administrative CouncilState Counselor Daw Aung San Suu KyiTatmadaw
The Irrawaddy

The Irrawaddy

...

Similar Picks:

As Myanmar’s Military Stumbles, a Top General’s Dissapearance Fuels Intrigue
Burma

As Myanmar’s Military Stumbles, a Top General’s Dissapearance Fuels Intrigue

by The Irrawaddy
April 19, 2024
46.9k

The junta’s No. 2 has not been seen in public since April 3, sparking rumors that he was either gravely...

Read moreDetails
Enter the Dragon, Exit the Junta: Myanmar’s Brotherhood Alliance makes Chinese New Year Vow
Burma

Enter the Dragon, Exit the Junta: Myanmar’s Brotherhood Alliance makes Chinese New Year Vow

by The Irrawaddy
February 12, 2024
44.7k

Ethnic armed grouping says it will continue Operation 1027 offensive until goal of ousting the junta is achieved. 

Read moreDetails
Drone Attack at Myanmar-China Border Gate Causes Over $14m in Losses
Business

Drone Attack at Myanmar-China Border Gate Causes Over $14m in Losses

by The Irrawaddy
November 27, 2023
38.5k

Jin San Jiao is latest northern Shan State trade hub in crosshairs of ethnic Brotherhood Alliance.

Read moreDetails
Arakan Army Captures Myanmar Junta Brigade General in Chin State Rout: Report
Burma

Arakan Army Captures Myanmar Junta Brigade General in Chin State Rout: Report

by The Irrawaddy
January 15, 2024
36.5k

Rakhine-based armed group has reportedly detained the chief of 19th Military Operations Command after seizing his base in Paletwa Township.

Read moreDetails
Myanmar Coup Leader Showers Medals on Troops as String of Defeats Erodes Morale
Burma

Myanmar Coup Leader Showers Medals on Troops as String of Defeats Erodes Morale

by The Irrawaddy
December 8, 2023
32.9k

Min Aung Hlaing was trying to distract attention from a string of military defeats by handing out 147 medals for...

Read moreDetails
Myanmar Junta Arrests Thai Condo Buyers, Realtors as Currency Crashes
Business

Myanmar Junta Arrests Thai Condo Buyers, Realtors as Currency Crashes

by The Irrawaddy
June 4, 2024
27.7k

Monday’s arrests follow reports that Myanmar has become one of Thailand’s most lucrative markets for selling condos since the 2021...

Read moreDetails
Load More
Next Post
Anti-regime protesters in Yangon in February. / The Irrawaddy

Executives of S. Korean Companies Met Myanmar Junta Officials: Report

Pro-military supporters throw projectiles at people in downtown Yangon on February 25, 2021. / AFP

Myanmar Junta Minister’s Masterminding of Violent Pro-Military Rallies Revealed

No Result
View All Result

Recommended

Trade and Traffic from Thai Border Region Dwindle as Checkpoints Multiply

Trade and Traffic from Thai Border Region Dwindle as Checkpoints Multiply

2 days ago
877
The Lady Myanmar’s Generals Can’t Defeat

The Lady Myanmar’s Generals Can’t Defeat

2 days ago
655

Most Read

  • Myanmar Junta Moves to Seize Sagaing Roads

    Myanmar Junta Moves to Seize Sagaing Roads

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Certifying a Chinese Security Invasion; Boosting Ties With Nuclear North Korea; and More

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Myanmar Junta Changes Election Law Ahead of Polls

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Residents of Myanmar Ruby Hub Speak Out as TNLA Mining Takes Toll

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Trade and Traffic from Thai Border Region Dwindle as Checkpoints Multiply

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0

Newsletter

Get The Irrawaddy’s latest news, analyses and opinion pieces on Myanmar in your inbox.

Subscribe here for daily updates.

Contents

  • News
  • Politics
  • War Against the Junta
  • Myanmar’s Crisis & the World
  • Conflicts In Numbers
  • Junta Crony
  • Ethnic Issues
  • Asia
  • World
  • Business
  • Economy
  • Election 2020
  • Elections in History
  • Cartoons
  • Features
  • Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Commentary
  • Guest Column
  • Analysis
  • Letters
  • In Person
  • Interview
  • Profile
  • Dateline
  • Specials
  • Myanmar Diary
  • Women & Gender
  • Places in History
  • On This Day
  • From the Archive
  • Myanmar & COVID-19
  • Intelligence
  • Myanmar-China Watch
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Food
  • Fashion & Design
  • Videos
  • Photos
  • Photo Essay
  • Donation

About The Irrawaddy

Founded in 1993 by a group of Myanmar journalists living in exile in Thailand, The Irrawaddy is a leading source of reliable news, information, and analysis on Burma/Myanmar and the Southeast Asian region. From its inception, The Irrawaddy has been an independent news media group, unaffiliated with any political party, organization or government. We believe that media must be free and independent and we strive to preserve press freedom.

  • Copyright
  • Code of Ethics
  • Privacy Policy
  • Team
  • About Us
  • Careers
  • Contact
  • Burmese

© 2023 Irrawaddy Publishing Group. All Rights Reserved

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
    • Burma
    • Politics
    • World
    • Asia
    • Myanmar’s Crisis & the World
    • Ethnic Issues
    • War Against the Junta
    • Junta Cronies
    • Conflicts In Numbers
    • Junta Watch
    • Fact Check
    • Investigation
    • Myanmar-China Watch
    • Obituaries
  • Politics
  • Opinion
    • Commentary
    • Guest Column
    • Analysis
    • Editorial
    • Stories That Shaped Us
    • Letters
  • Ethnic Issues
  • War Against the Junta
  • In Person
    • Interview
    • Profile
  • Business
    • Economy
    • Business Roundup
  • Books
  • Donation

© 2023 Irrawaddy Publishing Group. All Rights Reserved

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.