More than 70,000 people have fled their homes due to clashes in Duthahtu, Nyaunglaybin, Beikdawei, Mutraw and Dupalaya districts controlled by the Karen National Union (KNU), according to a press release issued by the KNU headquarters on February 8.

The information was carried in the statement in which one-month fighting in the KNU’s controlled Kawthulay region was reported.  

During January 2022, there were 435 engagements between combined forces of the KNU, Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) and Karen National Defence Organization (KNDO) and combined forces of Myanmar’s military and Border Guard Force (BGF), the statement said.

In the clashes, seven members of KNLA and KNDO died and 24 others were wounded.

During the month, 12 locals were also killed and 32 injured in artillery attacks in Mutraw and Dupalaya districts.

Fighting has displaced over 70,000 people in the KNU-controlled Duthahtu, Nyaunglaybin, Beikdawei, Mutraw and Dupalaya districts.