Safe haven: A camp for internally displaced people in Myanmar is seen across the Moei river from Mae Sot, Tak province in Thailand. — AP
Residents of the country’s trade hub fled across the border to Thailand amid the sounds of explosions and after an ethnic minority armed group said they had seized a key military base nearby, say locals.
Fighters from the Karen National Union (KNU) said on Saturday that they had seized a military base around 10km west of Myawaddy and that more than 600 soldiers, police and their families had surrendered.
Residents yesterday said they could hear gunfire and explosions, when contacted.
“Some people fled already, especially those staying around the police station,” one resident said, requesting anonymity for security reasons.
“We are hearing gunfire and explosions at this moment. We heard planes flying over.”
They said it did not appear like KNU fighters were inside the town and that a bridge connecting Myawaddy to the Thai town of Mae Sot just over the border was still open.
“I heard two loud explosions”, another resident of Myawaddy said, also asking to remain anonymous for security reasons.
“Most of the shops are closed today and locals are leaving for Thailand.”
Myanmar mobile phone services were not working, they said, adding that residents were using Thai SIM cards.
The junta has not responded to requests for comment on the KNU claim of the surrenders at the base at Thingannyinaung.
A resident there said that she had fled her home weeks ago following previous clashes and was now sheltering at the Thai border.
“Many IDPs are now staying near the river between Thailand and Myanmar,” she said, referring to internally displaced people.
“We can see thousands of people from villages coming to cross the border every day,” added the resident.
The Karen State Border Guard Force, a local military-aligned militia that controls much of Myawaddy town, announced this year that it would no longer take orders from the junta.
Analysts said the move would further weaken the military’s position in Karen state. — AFP
