The situation in Myanmar has worsened since the military took over from the elected government in February 2021. Thai officials have reported that thousands of people have fled across the border to Thailand due to the intense fighting between Myanmar’s armed rebel groups and the military.
The military’s seizure of power from Aung San Suu Kyi’s elected government has led to mass protests and an armed uprising, plunging Myanmar into turmoil. The fighting near the border is concentrated in southern Karen state, also known as Kayin, which borders Thailand’s Tak province.
According to Tak provincial officials, around 3,998 people have fled into Thailand’s temporary shelter across ten areas. The situation is being closely monitored, and Thai officials have reported that fighting flared up after an attack on a border guard post by armed fighters from the Karen National Liberation Army, an ethnic armed group.
A charity worker who asked not to be named told Reuters news agency that many people had crossed the border since yesterday, and some were still waiting on the Myanmar side to cross. They added that people did not have enough drinking water or any toilets for now.
Since the coup, ethnic armed groups such as the KNLA, which have been fighting the armed forces for decades, have joined forces with anti-coup groups to try and force the generals from power. Myanmar’s military has used lethal force against its opponents, killing some 3,212 people according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners and jailing more than 17,000.
The military has also turned to air power in its bid to wipe out opposition, with observers accusing them of targeting civilians in bombings and ground assaults. Entire villages have been burned to the ground, and at least eight people, including children, were killed when their village in northwest Myanmar was bombed last week.
Myanmar’s military claims it is fighting “terrorists” and denies targeting civilians. They blame anti-coup fighters for the deaths of civilians.
The situation in Myanmar is dire, with thousands of people fleeing their homes due to the fighting. The military’s use of lethal force and air power against its opponents has resulted in the deaths of thousands of people, including innocent civilians. The international community must act to put an end to this violence and restore democracy in Myanmar.