There were 418 clashes between the Tatmadaw and the Karen National Union (KNU) in the Kawthoolei administration area of the KNU in February, announced the central committee of the KNU.

In the Karen National Union (KNU)-administered area, there were daily clashes between the Tatmadaw, the Border Guard Force (BGF) and the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) under the KNU, and Karen National Defense Force (KNDO), it said.

There have been airstrikes as well as shelling in Khle Lui Htoo, Mutraw and Dupalaya districts, which are in the Kawthoolei administration area of the KNU, it said.

In February, 44 houses, a junior college, two monasteries, two Christian churches, two clinics and 25 buildings were destroyed due to the armed conflict between the Tatmadaw and the KNU, it said.

In addition, 11 civilians were killed and 41 injured due to an armed conflict between the Tatmadaw and the KNU in February in the Kawthoolei administration area.

Last January, there were 436 clashes between the Tatmadaw and the KNU in the KNU controlled area, it said.

In January, 13 locals were killed and 9 injured due to armed conflict in KNU’s Brigade (5) of Mutraw District and Brigade (6) of Duplaya District areas of the Karen National Union's administrative area, according to the statement of the KNU.

In addition, 33 houses were destroyed and 24 houses were damaged due to the armed conflict, according to the KNU. Two schools, four Christian churches, one monastery, one religious hall, one hospital and eight buildings were destroyed, according to the KNU.

In January, three locals were killed and 38 others were injured in the shelling of the district within the administrative area of the Kawthoolei area, according to the KNU.

The statement said the number of IDPs who fled their homes due to the armed conflicts in the Kawthoolei administration area of the KNU from February 1, 2021 to the end of January 2023 has reached about 400,000, and that humanitarian assistance is needed for the IDPs.