Myanmar: Armed fighters attack military base; more than 500 civilians and soldiers flee to Thailand
Myanmar has been locked in civil conflict since the 2021 military coup, with the junta facing resistance from ethnic armed groups and pro-democracy forces.
Saturday's assault was carried out by the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA), which targeted a military base in Kayin state at around 3 pm local time (0800 GMT), the Thai military said in a statement.
'The Myanmar soldiers attempted to resist and called for supporting firepower to defend their position but were ultimately unable to hold the line,' the statement said.
Thai officials said around 100 Myanmar soldiers and 467 civilians crossed into Thailand. They were disarmed and given medical help and humanitarian aid by Thai military and police.
Thai forces have stepped up patrols along the border in western Tak province, warning of a possible 'violation of sovereignty by foreign armed forces'.
Saw Thamain Tun, a leader of the KNLA's political wing, confirmed the fighting near the border and said joint forces had 'seized some front posts' from the Myanmar army.
'Some (Myanmar troops) defected to our joint forces, but some of them ran into Thailand,' he told AFP.
Karen armed groups have long opposed the military and now play a major role in resisting junta control in the border regions.
The civil war has displaced large numbers of people, with around 81,000 refugees or asylum seekers from Myanmar currently in Thailand, according to the United Nations.
The KNLA has been fighting for decades for greater autonomy for the Karen people in southeastern Myanmar.
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