ID :
149200
Mon, 11/08/2010 - 15:02
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http://m.oananews.org//node/149200
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Fighting erupts in Myanmar border town; shells fly into Thai territory, wounding seven
BANGKOK, Nov 8 -- Myanmar armed forces and Karen minority group clash at Myanmar border town of Myawaddy and shells fell into Thai territory at Mae Sot across the Moei River in the northern province of Tak, injuring seven people, causing the authorities to order a partial evacuation, according to the Third Army Area Region, Lt-Gen Wanthip Wongwai.
Gen Wanthip, interviewed by telephone, said Myanmar government soldiers were reportedly attacked by a faction which has split from the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA) at Myawaddy, the border town opposite Mae Sot in Thailand.
Three rocket propelled grenades (RPGs) were launched and dropped into Tak province but two failed to explode. Only one detonated, but wounded seven people -- three Thais and four Karen, he said.
Zipporah Sein, Thailand-based general secretary of the Karen National Union (KNU), was quoted by the Agence France Press (AFP) news agency as saying that the skirmishes broke out between up to 300 Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA) soldiers and the government army.
She was quoted as saying that the fighting was currently contained in the town but added that if it spilled into surrounding areas, up to 500 DKBA troops and 900 KNU soldiers could join the battle.
Gen Wanthip said Thai Army Chief Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha has been informed about the incident.
The Third Army Area Region Commander said he ordered the Thai troops not to return fire as it seemed that the shells were not intended to fall into Thai territory, but the Thai military is closely monitoring the situation.
Some 300 Myanmar people have fled the fighting to Thailand and are under surveillance by the Thai authorities until the fighting eases, he said, when they would return to their homeland.
The Thai commander said Thai army and border police are stationed at the border to guard the territory, and while Thai traders at the border town have shut their shops and evacuated to border police camp, he said, there are no Thais in the at the risk border area.
Gunfire was still being heard and it is believed that military operations between different groups are continuing in Myawaddy.
The fighting came one day after Myanmar's first election in 20 years. (MCOT online news)
Gen Wanthip, interviewed by telephone, said Myanmar government soldiers were reportedly attacked by a faction which has split from the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA) at Myawaddy, the border town opposite Mae Sot in Thailand.
Three rocket propelled grenades (RPGs) were launched and dropped into Tak province but two failed to explode. Only one detonated, but wounded seven people -- three Thais and four Karen, he said.
Zipporah Sein, Thailand-based general secretary of the Karen National Union (KNU), was quoted by the Agence France Press (AFP) news agency as saying that the skirmishes broke out between up to 300 Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA) soldiers and the government army.
She was quoted as saying that the fighting was currently contained in the town but added that if it spilled into surrounding areas, up to 500 DKBA troops and 900 KNU soldiers could join the battle.
Gen Wanthip said Thai Army Chief Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha has been informed about the incident.
The Third Army Area Region Commander said he ordered the Thai troops not to return fire as it seemed that the shells were not intended to fall into Thai territory, but the Thai military is closely monitoring the situation.
Some 300 Myanmar people have fled the fighting to Thailand and are under surveillance by the Thai authorities until the fighting eases, he said, when they would return to their homeland.
The Thai commander said Thai army and border police are stationed at the border to guard the territory, and while Thai traders at the border town have shut their shops and evacuated to border police camp, he said, there are no Thais in the at the risk border area.
Gunfire was still being heard and it is believed that military operations between different groups are continuing in Myawaddy.
The fighting came one day after Myanmar's first election in 20 years. (MCOT online news)
