9 March 2026 | New Day Myanmar
The Karen National Union (KNU) has reported that junta forces entered Nyaunglebin Township—an area under KNU administration—and arrested around 160 civilians.
According to the KNU statement, on March 5 a joint military column consisting of Light Infantry Battalion (LIB) 20, Infantry Battalion (IB) 264, and LIB 439 raided the Yethwin Kone village tract and arbitrarily detained approximately 160 local civilians.
On March 7, clashes broke out between junta forces and the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA). During the fighting, junta forces reportedly carried out airstrikes using drones and jet fighters targeting the Yethwin Kone village tract.
As a result of the attack, around 25 civilians who had been detained by junta troops were killed, while another five civilians were reportedly executed by the soldiers, according to the KNU.
The KNU said that junta forces have been continuously targeting civilians across Myanmar as part of their effort to maintain power.
It also noted that while the junta is attempting to organize what it described as sham elections as a political exit strategy, human rights violations are continuing to intensify.
