Karen National Union headquarters in Hpa-An District of Karen State ‘bombed 20 times’

Twenty airstrikes were reportedly carried out on the Karen National Union (KNU) Brigade 7 headquarters in the state capital Hpa-An District on Sunday. The KNU headquarters is located on the Myanmar-Thailand border opposite Tha Song Yang District of Tak Province. 

A resident told DVB that they counted 25 airstrikes with some bombs remaining unexploded.

Initial reports said bombs landed on a hospital, and one civilian sustained minor injuries. No fatalities have been reported by the KNU. 

A source in the KNU told DVB that an unknown number of residents fled across the Thaungyin (Moei) River into Thailand’s Tak Province to seek safety.

Thai media reported that the authorities are providing temporary shelter for residents from Karen State who have fled their homes due to airstrikes carried out by the Myanmar Air Force. 

These strikes are taking place two days ahead of a planned gathering for Karen Martyrs’ Day, which commemorates the assassination of Karen leader Saw Ba U Gyi on Aug. 12, 1950.