A member of the People's Defense Force (PDF) said that the Karen National Union (KNU) 6th Brigade in Lay Kay Kaw area, Myawaddy District, Karen State has been under heavy attack by the Myanmar military junta troops since 6 a.m. on 7 March.

When Junta troops with more than 15 military vehicles entered Rathegu Village, Myawaddy District on 7 March, Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) and the People's Defense Forces (PDF) were fighting against the junta’s troops.

"The small battle started yesterday. At 6 am today (on 7 March), there were a lot of troops from the military regime. They are continuously shooting with heavy artillery between Rathegu Village and Lay Kay Kaw. The fighting is breaking out there. The casualties of both sides are yet unknown. There are also injured people on their side. A bullet hit one of our comrades in the leg,” said a PDF fighter on the front line.

An explosion took place at the military junta position Ah Myauk Kone (Swal Daw Kone) near Lay Kay Kaw last night and the cause of the explosion is still unknown.

The ongoing fighting has led to an increase in the number of internally displaced people or IDPs. Currently, there are five IDP camps along the Moei River near the Thai border.