OVER 200 Myawaddy residents fled across the border to adjoining Thai Mae Sot town after ethnic minority fighters launched an attack on Myanmar junta soldiers holding out in this border district at 6 a.m. this morning (Apr. 20), Amarin TV said.
Around 200 Tatmadaw Infantry Battalion 275 and front section of Light Infantry Battalion 44 soldiers had fled to the foot of 2nd Thai-Myanmar Friendship Bridge after Pha Song base fell to fighters of Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) and their allies on Apr. 11.
However today’s fighting is taking place approximately 1.5km from the border at Yebu village opposite Ban Wang Takien, Tha Sai Luat subdistrict, Mae Sot district.
The anti-junta fighters used small guns, machine guns, 40mm grenade launchers and drones to attack this group of Tatmadaw soldiers with fighting having raged for over three hours and as yet losses unknown.
Thai officials have closed this bridge with Ratchamanu Special Unit moving additional soldiers and weapons there according to the response plan to ensure the safety of the people in this border area.
At 8.30 a.m. 217 Myanmar people crossed over to Ban Wan Takien to take temporary shelter as fighting raged across the border.
CAPTION:
A composite photo showing refugees who fled to Mae Sot this morning (Apr. 20) and some soldiers. Credit: Amarin TV
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