Wal Lay area under the control of the Karen National Union (KNU) 6th Brigade, Myawaddy District, Kayin (Karen) State was attacked by fighter jets from the junta at 11:30 a.m. on 25 March, according to local people.

Recently, the KNU's coalition forces were attacking Hteikho, a hilltop military base. In response, the military junta launched airstrikes against the KNU, prompting local people from nearby villages to flee.

“I heard that Hteikho base was attacked by KNU’s coalition forces. Thus, the junta is launching airstrikes. Currently, villagers from nearby villages including Phote Pa La Hta, Hteikho, and Ka Ne’Lay villages had to run into the forests and did not even have time to take anything,” a People's Defence Force member said.

On 21 March, the KNU’s coalition forces attacked and occupied Maw Khi base of the junta. Junta soldiers trying to enter the Wal Lay area with more than 100 troops were intercepted by the KNU’s coalition forces on 24 March.

The clashes erupted and intensified after the KNU sent a letter dated 7 March to the junta’s Southeast Military Command asking them to leave the area of the KNU 6th Brigade.