Over 40,000 residents in southern Shan and Karenni states flee regime counteroffensive

Aid workers told DVB that over 40,000 residents were forced to flee their homes in Pekon town of southern Shan State and Nanmekhon town of Demoso Township, in neighbouring Karenni State, due to a regime counteroffensive which began on July 24.

Zayyar Tun, a member of the charity group Clean Yangon, told DVB that they were still helping residents evacuate their homes on July 28. Pekon is located 19 miles (30 km) north of Nanmekhon, which is located nine miles (km) west of the Karenni State capital Loikaw. 

Regime forces reportedly reached Payarni village, 13 miles (20 km) north of Nanmekhon, on July 25. Nanmekhon residents told DVB that the evacuation is disrupting the upcoming planting season.