Hundreds flee across Thai border after attack on Myanmar military

Bangkok: More than 300 Myanmar people fled into Thailand to seek refuge following an assault on the military by ethnic armed groups, Thailand said Thu...

Bangkok: More than 300 Myanmar people fled into Thailand to seek refuge following an assault on the military by ethnic armed groups, Thailand said Thursday, days after the junta extended a post-earthquake ceasefire.

Myanmar has been mired in civil conflict since a military coup in 2021, with the junta battling a coalition of ethnic armed organisations and pro-democracy resistance forces.

Wednesday's attack by the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) and its allied Karen National Defence Organisation (KNDO) targeted a military base in Kayin state, about 2.5 kilometres (1.5 miles) from the Thai border, according to the Thai military.

"The attack involved a close-range encirclement of the base and the use of armed drones to continuously drop explosives throughout the day," a statement said.

By Thursday, 327 Myanmar nationals had crossed into Thailand and were sheltering in two temporary sites, including a temple, with Thai military and police providing security and humanitarian aid, officials said.