NAYPYITAW, 25 August 2021, (TON): The armed rebel group has said “dozens of junta soldiers have been killed and hundreds of civilians have fled their homes during clashes between the Myanmar military and the Karen National Union (KNU) so far in August.”

Six of the seven regions controlled by the KNU have seen continued fighting in recent weeks between the junta’s forces and the KNU’s armed wing, the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA).

The clashes have been most intense in Hpapun district, also known as Mutraw, in Karen State, which is controlled by the KNLA’s Brigade 5. At least 50 junta troops have been killed there this month, according to Thoolei News, a publication of the KNU’s information department.

The outlet said “the junta-backed Border Guard Force (BGF) provided reinforcements for the Myanmar military during those clashes. Last month around 65 junta soldiers were reported killed in fighting in Hpapun.

Junta troops have also launched offensives in Dooplaya district against the KNLA’s Brigade 6 this month, as well as Hpa-an district, where Brigade 7 is active.

Padoh Saw Taw Nee, the head of the KNU’s foreign affairs department, warned that more clashes would be unavoidable if the junta’s troops continued to invade the group’s territory.