According to a statement from the Karen National Union (KNU), military airstrikes in KNU-controlled areas of Kyaukkyi, Mu Township, and Hpa-an Township have resulted in one civilian death and the destruction of a monastery and several homes. On March 1st, in the evening around 6 PM, the military conducted an airstrike on Haw Kho Gaw (Nga Htwei Sut) village in Mu Township, killing 25-year-old Naw Peidaw Wah, an internally displaced person from Thay Gae Lu village, and injuring 27-year-old Saw Than Lwin Htun.
On February 28th at 4 PM, Infantry Battalion 264 fired four 81mm artillery shells from Pein Zalut Taqun in Kyaukkyi Township. The shells landed and exploded near Yay Lay Kyun village and Ain Doe Creek, resulting in injuries to 50-year-old U Kyaw Maung Yi, damage to residential homes, and injuries to livestock. Additionally, on March 1st at 6 AM, the military conducted aerial bombardments near May Thana village and Htee Kyaw Khi village in Hpa-an Township.
The airstrikes caused significant damage to the Buddha shrine hall of a monastery at the foot of May Thana mountain and destroyed several houses. The bombing also impacted the May Thana village school compound and caused destruction to local residents’ rubber plantations and residential areas, according to the KNU statement. These ongoing military airstrikes continue to result in loss of life, property, and livelihoods for local civilians in the affected areas.
