Tens of thousands of locals have fled to safety due to the fighting between the Tatmadaw and the No.16 Battalion of the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) and their allies in the Taungzun village in Kyainseikgyi Township (Winre Township, Duplaya District of Karen National Union (KNU) in Kayin State, according to locals.

It is reported that fighting was going on around Taungzun village from December 31, 2022 to the morning of January 3, 2023, and a resident said that a total of 3,000 residents from Kyauk Bilin, Sinpyay, Maezali, Winkhana, Gung Khan and Anankwin villages, in addition to Taungzun, had to flee to safe places due to these battles.

"The fighting has been going on since last December 31. The locals are no longer living in their own homes. Since that day, they have been running to places where they can be safe. There are some who went up from Anankwin village to Thanbyuzayat and other villages. There are people who live in the forest," said a local.

He said that as the days of fleeing the battle went by, food and accommodation became more difficult, as well as the need for medicine.

According to locals fleeing the fighting, from newborns to the elderly, those trapped in the forest are also suffering from the effects of the cold winter.

On December 31, 2022, the fighting started as two Border Guard Force (BGF) stations located near Taungzun village on Thanbyuzayat-Anankwin-Payathonzu road were attacked and occupied by the KNLA and allied groups, according to locals.