Villagers from four villages in Tanintharyi Township, Myeik District, Tanintharyi Division were forced to flee their houses due to heavy artillery fire by the Military Council near Kwal Htain Gone village at 10 a.m. on 25 February, according local people.

The clash started when the heavy artillery shelling by junta soldiers resulted in the return of fire by a resistance group.

"The fighting is taking place on the side of Kywe Thein Kone village. No casualties have been reported so far. Villagers from four villages are fleeing," a local resident told Mizzima.

The clashes stopped in the evening, according to locals.

As a result of the exchange of fire, villagers from the area of Tha Kyat, GaNam Twin, Kywe Htein Kone and Sin Phya Taung villages have fled to safety, according to locals.

The clashes took place between the guerrillas and the Military Council and no casualties have been reported by the Military Council side. During the three-hour clash, the soldiers fired about 36 artillery shells, according to the guerrillas.

At present, the Military Council is blocking the road in front of the No (561) Brigade in Tanintharyi Township, according to locals.

Recently, there was a clash between the Military Council and the People Defense Force (PDF) in Pawa village in Tanintharyi township.