Residents are reportedly fleeing as the military junta launched air attacks near No.2 Thai-Myanmar Friendship Bridge in Myawaddy town, Karen State.
The fighting between the junta troops inside the trade compound near the No. 2 friendship bridge and resistance forces started at about 1:00 a.m. today, and it fiercely continued until around 9:00 a.m. this morning, according to a Rapu villager in Myawaddy town.
“I have been hearing the sound of bombs since last night. The junta’s plane came and fired this morning. The plane bombed near the No. 2 friendship bridge, Myawaddy. The people from the Ripu village have fled to Mae Sot, Thailand, early in the morning. At 8:00 a.m., the Thai side did not allow them to enter. Both the Thai soldiers and immigration groups are there. Residents are not living in the village and are fleeing with a group on the banks of the Moei-Taungyin River,” he said.
A member of the resistance forces on the ground said that the military launched at least 9 airstrikes near the No. 2 friendship bridge in Myawaddy town.
“The plane came around 5 o’clock this morning. At around 5:10 a.m., the plane dropped 7 bombs near the No. 2 Friendship Bridge. Then, at around 8:00 a.m., it dropped 2 more bombs near it,” he said.
A young woman from Myawaddy said that a clash started near the intersection of Raypu and Oil shop in Myawaddy Ward No.5 at about 8:20 a.m. this morning, and the fighting lasted for 20 minutes.
“At around 8:00 a.m., heavy weapons were fired back from the No.2 Myanmar friendship bridge. The shells fell inside the Major Thar Htwe Street near Gate 12 of Seik zone. It hit the back of the house and hit a woman. The locals all have fled. The situation at Gate 13 and Gate 14 is also bad. The resistance armed forces tell the people from Gate 13 not to enter the town. The iron bridge that enters Myawaddy town has really been closed,” he said.
MPA news source from Myawaddy said that people fleeing the war are passing through Kan Sint Myaing Road and Thet Ta Pin Road, and some people are fleeing from Uncle Gyi Playground West Road to Asia Highway.
“People from Ruby Gas Station of Myawaddy, Gate 12, Wa Tok, Wa Sa Kin, Gate 8, Gate 13 and Gate 14 have fled. All people have moved to safety. Now locals are moving to the Nyein Chan Re monastery near Gate 14,” he said.
He said the military plane was still hovering over Myawaddy as of 10:24 a.m. this morning, and then he could no longer be contacted.
The No.1 Thailand-Myanmar Friendship Bridge is open until this morning. People who want to flee to Mae Sot from Myawaddy town should wear their jewelry, and if they carry packages, they will be interrogated and have to pay taxes, according to people fleeing to Mae Sot town.