This was stated by the Myanmar resistance forces. Following the incursion into Thai airspace, the Burmese military sent an apology. Meanwhile, the number of refugees increases and arrests of Burmese migrants who cross the border with the help of smugglers continue.
Yangon ( / Agencies) – The Myanmar coup junta has carried out 125 air strikes in five days to defend a strategic military post in the state of Karen (or Kayin), on the border with Thailand, where more and more people are fleeing to take refuge from war. The information comes from the independent news site The Irrawaddy and follows last week’s clashes, which culminated in the invasion of Thai airspace.
On February 1, 2021, the Myanmar military overthrew the previous government led by Aung San Suu Kyi and started a civil conflict. In the Burmese state of Karen there are several resistance groups operating and on June 26 they attacked the outpost of Ukayit Hta, near the village of Waw Lay. The fighting continued for a week. According to the Cobra Column, a division of the anti-coup forces, the military of the Junta carried out 125 attacks between June 27 and July 1, forcing hundreds of civilians to flee the scene (at least 300 according to The Irrawaddy, Meanwhile he Bangkok Post lowers the number to a hundred) and to go to Thailand through the Moei River, which separates the two countries.
In those days, Burmese planes crossed Thai airspace, terrorizing the civilian population, who immediately took refuge in anti-aircraft bunkers. As a consequence, classes were suspended in two border schools. The incident occurred in the Pop Phra district area of Tak province, and the Thai media confirmed the death of several civilians hit by bombs from the Burmese army.
Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha said the incident is not a problem. Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai said yesterday that Myanmar would send a formal letter of apology for the airstrike, hoping that it would not be repeated in the future. Under an agreement between the two countries, if artillery shells land on Thai soil, Bangkok will first send out warning signals and only return fire if there is a direct threat to its population.
Meanwhile, the number of Burmese refugees continues to rise and the number of internally displaced persons has risen to almost 700,000 since the start of the coup. Since February 2021, nearly 60,000 people have crossed the border, according to figures from UNHCR, the UN refugee agency. Thailand currently hosts more than 91,000 refugees, about half of whom are Christian. Despite the presence of nine UN refugee camps along the border, many migrants are dependent on human traffickers. Just last week, Thai security forces 43 Burmese fugitives arrested and 7 traffickers trying to transport the victims: hiding them in trucks headed for Malaysia, where they were promised they would find work.
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