Myanmar military clashes with opposition group, hundreds flee to Thailand?

Thai security officials say fresh clashes between Myanmar's military and the opposition Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) have sparked a mass exodus from Myanmar.

The Bangkok Post reported that the Thai military's Naresuan special forces conducted a helicopter survey on the border with Myanmar at Nong Bua village in Thailand's Tak province today, March 1.

The survey was prompted by minor clashes between KNLA forces and the Myanmar army around military bases, causing fear among residents in surrounding areas.

Myanmar people wade across the Moei River into Thailand to escape the ongoing conflict in their homeland.

Photo: Bangkok Post screenshot

Clashes between the army and the KNLA in Myanmar were reported to have occurred just 800 metres from Nong Bua village. Another clash was reported from the Kyra Piao Kong base, just 1.5 kilometres from Tak’s Tha Song Yang district.

Major General Maitri Chupreecha, commander of the Naresuan task force, said the clashes had endangered lives and property on both sides of the border, and the military was concerned that there could be incursions into Thailand.

So far, 545 Myanmar citizens have sought to escape the conflict by crossing the border into Thailand and have been taken to two temporary safe zones, according to the Bangkok Post . Thai military and border police are assisting the refugees and providing humanitarian aid.

Task Force Naresuan has ordered the provision of food, clothing and essentials to units caring for those seeking refuge and has visited some of those in the safe zone.

There is currently no information on the reaction of the Myanmar military government or the KNLA.

The news comes as Thai security officials in Tak are preparing for a wave of victims to be freed from scam centres in Myanmar's Myawaddy city as the crackdown continues.

In January, health care centers serving tens of thousands of refugees on the Thai-Myanmar border were ordered closed after US President Donald Trump froze most foreign aid, forcing Thai officials to transfer the sickest patients to other facilities, according to the Bangkok Post .

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/quan-doi-myanmar-dung-do-voi-nhom-doi-lap-hang-tram-nguoi-chay-sang-thai-lan-185250301190601402.htm