Ongoing fighting in Mu Township controlled by Karen National Union’s Brigade 3 in Khalelwihtu District, Kawthulay administrative area, has forced more than 21,000 local people from their homes in 18 villages, according to a statement released by the KNU Headquarters.

Since May 10 this year, a total of 21,880 locals from those 18 villages in Mu Township have fled their homes to escape fighting, the statement said.

On May 21, two homes, a firewood storage house and a village school were destroyed by clashes in Naunggon Village in Mu Township, the statement added.

The village has 117 houses with 782 people, and all of them have been displaced by fighting since them.

The KNU statement pointed out that since 2021, clashes have forced lots of village people to leave their homes permanently.