THE FIGHTING between Karen National Union (KNU) and its ally People’s Defence Force (PDF) and Myanmar junta has now spread to several locations in Myawaddy district, just across the border from Thailand’s Mae Sot district, with many wounded Myanmar nationals brought over for medical treatment at Mae Sot Hospital, Amarin TV said today (Apr. 21).
The heaviest fighting is taking place around 1.5km from the border at Yebu village opposite Ban Wang Takien, Tha Sai Luat subdistrict, Mae Sot district.
The anti-junta forces are using drones to drop bombs on junta troops entrenched there while Tatmadaw is attacking them with fighter jets and helicopters equipped with machine guns.
It was reported that 50 junta Infantry Battalion 275 troops who were among 200 who had on Apr. 11 fled to this area after Pha Song base fell had been killed and many others injured.
A lot of Myanmar people had fled across the border at natural transportation points but were turned away at some of them.
However Col. Natthakorn Ruentip, commander of Rachamanu Special Task Force, has ordered soldiers to take care of those fleeing the fighting.
Many injured Myanmar people were brought across the border in the middle of last night with rescuers asked to take them to Mae Sot Hospital which led to this hospital declaring an emergency to mobilise doctors and nurses to take care of the wounded without distinguishing which side they are on.
This hospital is not differentiating whether injured Myanmar patients are fighting for or against the junta as it has to take care of them according to humanitarian principles.
Currently around 1,000 Myanmar refugees are sheltering at various safe points arranged by the Thai security forces.
This morning Tatmadow sent its jet fighters to bomb anti-junta positions again with the sound of cannon fire resonating all the way to Mae Sot.
Meanwhile Defence Minister Suthin Khlangsaeng said today (Apr. 21) the fighting between Karin ethnic minority plus pro-democracy forces and Myanmar junta troops in Myawaddy district has intensified with Thailand giving assistance to refugees from both sides on humanitarian grounds, Amarin TV said.
Thailand has to help both warring sides but there is nothing to worry about, he added.
Prime Minister Settha Thavisin will be visiting Mae Sot on Tuesday Apr. 23 to encourage security personnel while he too will be doing so in a day or two.
Regarding bullets flying across the border and hitting Thai houses, Suthin said a warning has to be issued even though it is known that there is no intention to harm Thais.
He added that the Thai armed forces are closely monitoring the fighting across the border and can take care of the situation.
CAPTIONS:
Top: Mae Sot Hospital doctors and nurses are busy taking care of wounded Myanmar patients. Photo: Amarin TV
Insert: An image Defence Minister Suthin Khlangsaeng overlaid on a background showing Myanmar refugees taking shelter in Thailand. Photo: Amarin TV
Front Page: Myanmar citizens cross the Moei river from Myawaddy to Mae Sot for safety. Photo: Naewna
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