December 8

 

Residents in Kawkareik town in Karen State have been fleeing to the villages since December 1 amid clashes between military and resistance forces.

 

"We are afraid to stay in the town, so we fled to our relatives in the village. The junta forces are discriminately arresting people in the town," said a resident of Chaung Taung.

 

Some people from the village who settled in the town for businesses and for their children's education returned to the villages to avoid the fighting.

 

Telecommunication and internet services have been cut off in Kawkareik and nearby villages since December 3.

 

More than 10,000 residents from 26 villages have been displaced, according to the sources that provide help for displaced people.

 

Trading stopped as the roads have been shut down due to the fighting and the displaced people are in need of food and medicine.

 

At least three civilians were killed due to the fighting since December 1.

 

Burma Associated Press