Ankara: Hundreds of people, including over 100 Myanmar junta soldiers, fled into Thailand after ethnic Karen fighters overran military bases in eastern Myanmar over the weekend. The incident marks a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict, as reported by local media and confirmed by Thai officials.

According to Anadolu Agency, the clashes erupted late Saturday when fighters from the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) launched coordinated attacks on junta-controlled bases in Karen State. The KNLA, a major ethnic armed organization in Myanmar, has been engaged in a long-standing struggle for the self-determination of the Karen people since 1949.

Thailand's military confirmed that approximately 100 Myanmar soldiers crossed into Thai territory amidst the fighting. These soldiers were disarmed, treated for any injuries, and processed according to international protocols. Thai officials further reported that over 400 civilians also sought refuge across the border, where they were provided with safe shelters.

This recent wave of violence mirrors a similar incident in May when 62 Myanmar soldiers crossed into Thailand following rebel attacks on checkpoints near the border. The conflict has continued to exacerbate the humanitarian crisis in the region, with reports from inside Myanmar indicating that at least 30 people were killed in a deadly airstrike on a monastery in Sagaing Region last Friday.

The KNLA's operations are primarily centered in Karen State, an area that has long been a hotspot of ethnic conflict in Myanmar's south and southeast. The ongoing hostilities highlight the persistent challenges faced by the country as it grapples with internal strife and its impact on neighboring nations like Thailand.