ID :
149241
Tue, 11/09/2010 - 10:25
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/149241
The shortlink copeid
Clashes between Myanmar government forces and Karen ease: 3rd Army Area Commander
BANGKOK, Nov 9 -- Fighting between government forces and armed Karen minority group in the Myanmar border town of Myawaddy eased after government forces successfully regained areas temporarily occupied by a Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA) faction and Thailand will return Myanmar people who fled the fighting back to their homeland voluntarily, according to Third Army Area Region, Lt-Gen Wanthip Wongwai.
Gen Wanthip said he received information from Myawaddy Governmor that the government military has regained areas back and DKBA forces was reportedly retreated to their stronghold.
He said that later today there would be a meeting of concerned officials and coordinate with Myawaddy officials on the situation.
The Myanmar people who fled the fighting would be asked whether they wanted to return to their home and would help send them back on voluntary basis.
Clashes between the Myanmar armed forces and the Karen DKBA ethnic splinter faction occurred Monday at the Myanmar border town of Myawaddy after its first election in 20 years on Sunday and shells fell into Thai territory at Mae Sot across the Moei River in the northern province of Tak.
Mae Sot district chief Kittisak Tomornsak said the Thai authorities have prepared an additional area to shelter Myanmar people at Wat Thai Watthanaram and would move half of the 20,000 Myanmar people who crossed from Myanmar on Monday from Border Patrol Police 346 in Mae Sot to stay there.
Mr Kittisak said the temple has enough facilities to shelter them.
The move was part of preparations in case more Myanmar nationals cross the river from Myawaddy, to escape the fighting to Thailand, he said.
The district chief said that this morning that some 1,000-2,000 Muslims would be separated from others so that the Thai authorities can prepare Halal food for them.
The Thai authorities have stepped up security measures to monitor the situation all night. He believed that the confrontation between the Myanmar government forces and Karen would continue for one week.
Gunfire was heard occasionally and Myanmar people continue to cross the Moei River to Thai territory. (MCOT online news)
Gen Wanthip said he received information from Myawaddy Governmor that the government military has regained areas back and DKBA forces was reportedly retreated to their stronghold.
He said that later today there would be a meeting of concerned officials and coordinate with Myawaddy officials on the situation.
The Myanmar people who fled the fighting would be asked whether they wanted to return to their home and would help send them back on voluntary basis.
Clashes between the Myanmar armed forces and the Karen DKBA ethnic splinter faction occurred Monday at the Myanmar border town of Myawaddy after its first election in 20 years on Sunday and shells fell into Thai territory at Mae Sot across the Moei River in the northern province of Tak.
Mae Sot district chief Kittisak Tomornsak said the Thai authorities have prepared an additional area to shelter Myanmar people at Wat Thai Watthanaram and would move half of the 20,000 Myanmar people who crossed from Myanmar on Monday from Border Patrol Police 346 in Mae Sot to stay there.
Mr Kittisak said the temple has enough facilities to shelter them.
The move was part of preparations in case more Myanmar nationals cross the river from Myawaddy, to escape the fighting to Thailand, he said.
The district chief said that this morning that some 1,000-2,000 Muslims would be separated from others so that the Thai authorities can prepare Halal food for them.
The Thai authorities have stepped up security measures to monitor the situation all night. He believed that the confrontation between the Myanmar government forces and Karen would continue for one week.
Gunfire was heard occasionally and Myanmar people continue to cross the Moei River to Thai territory. (MCOT online news)
