Burmese flee to Thailand to escape shelling by the Myanmar
More than 3000 Myanmar villagers have fled across the border into Thailand amid fierce clashes between Karen rebels and government soldiers.
The aid group – Free Burma Rangers reported that the Karen National Union Fighters were engaged in a fierce battle with the government forces near the Ler Per Her camp in eastern Karen state.
The ruling junta has been battling Karen National Union (KNU) rebels for decades but the present exodus has been one of the largest in the recent times.
The KNU has been fighting for half a century for greater autonomy from Myanmar’s central government but its strength has been dwindling during recent times due to infighting and continuous offensive by the government forces. Karen refugees numbering 100,000 have already taken shelter in camps in Thailand after fleeing the security forces counter insurgency operations.
The refugees are now taking shelter about 100 Kms north of Mae Sot, a Thai border town. Free Burma Rangers has put the number of people who has fled Ler Per Her camp in Myanmar to escape the violence to 3,295 consisting mostly children and women. The group said that those who had fled across the border were in ‘urgent need of shelter, medical assistance, food and clothing.’
Rights groups including Amnesty International have accused Myanmar’s military regime of committing inhuman crimes against their citizens during its offensive against the rebels.