The Burmese Army (Tatmadaw) is continuing its attacks against the people of Myanmar since it staged a coup last February.
In recent weeks, Sagaing, Chin, southeastern Karen, and Mon states continue to see escalated fighting between the Tatmadaw and local defense groups. Just last weekend, more than 12,000 ethnic Karen in Myanmar’s southeastern Karen and Mon states have been forced to flee their homes as the junta continued its airstrikes and mortar shelling.
According to David Eubank, founder of Free Burma Rangers, a group that has served the predominantly Christian ethnic Karen for decades, families are hiding in caves as their homes burn while the military airstrikes and mortar attacks continue. As of May 3, around 8,000 Karen villagers are hiding in the Bilin area, Mon state. He said the military airstrikes displaced 12,000 people in the period from April 29 to May 1.