The Karen National Union’s (KNU) Kler Lwee Htu District has reported that four civilians, including a 4-year-old child, were injured and one civilian was arrested due to artillery attacks by the military council forces on villages in Nyaunglebin District, Bago Region. On July 14, military council troops from Moe Township’s Nat Than Kwin fired 120mm artillery shells, launching a total of 4 rounds targeting Hle Lwe West Bank village, and the area between Hle Lwe village and Taung Su village.
During these artillery attacks, U Kyaw Naing (age 40), Maung Hein Zaw (age 17), and Ma Hnin Yadi Moe (age 4), all residents of Hle Lwe West Bank village, were wounded by artillery shell fragments. Subsequently, on July 18, military council troops from Nat Than Kwin fired six more artillery rounds, targeting areas between Anya Su village and Hle Lwe Karen village, as well as the eastern and western parts of Hle Lwe Karen village. On the same day, Infantry Battalion 307 fired artillery at Thankan Kone village, resulting in injuries to Ma Saw Nan Wai, age 36.
On July 16, Infantry Battalion 598 of the military council, based in Zalut Gyi in Kyaukhtu Township, deliberately fired four 81mm artillery rounds at Win Kan village. On July 18, military council troops from Infantry Battalion 20 launched another attack on Gway Kone village in Kyaukhtu Township, firing five 120mm artillery rounds. Additionally, on July 16, U Myo Min Thein, age 52, from Thet Phyaung Tan village in Lay Do Township, was arrested by military council troops at the Ngat Pyaw Taw checkpoint while traveling to Nyaunglebin town for shopping.
On July 18, Infantry Battalion 20 fired three 120mm artillery rounds, with two targeting the fields near Yin Twin Kone village and one at Kanyin Kyoe village. Light Infantry Battalion 264 also fired one 120mm artillery round at Lei Eain Su village. These deliberate artillery attacks by military council forces on civilian villages have caused widespread fear among local residents, forcing many to flee their homes for safety, according to local sources. The ongoing attacks demonstrate the military council’s continued use of heavy weapons against civilian populations, resulting in casualties and displacement in the Nyaunglebin District area.
