A displacement camp sheltering mostly Catholic Karenni families in eastern Myanmar came under airstrike for the third time in less than a year, as the military continues its brutal campaign across conflict-hit regions.
The latest bombing took place on May 14, when two explosives struck the “Bangkok IDP Camp” near the border of Shan and Kayah states, according to a report by Asianews.
The blasts hit a school and several homes, endangering hundreds of internally displaced civilians who had sought refuge from ongoing clashes between junta forces and resistance groups.
Despite being recognized as a civilian facility, the camp has repeatedly been targeted by the military. A deadly attack on September 5, 2024, left at least nine people dead.
Another strike on November 18 of the same year killed a 45-year-old woman and destroyed the camp’s church, the parish house, and several nearby residences.
Among those affected is Fr. Paul Tan, an elderly Karenni Catholic priest who had lived in the camp to provide pastoral care.
He relocated to a nearby area following growing threats and surveillance by pro-junta social media accounts, which reportedly singled him out as a strategic target in an apparent bid to erode Christian community morale.
The camp, largely composed of children, students, and their families, has served as a vital safe haven amid intensifying violence in Kayah State.
However, junta propaganda has accused it of sheltering resistance fighters—claims dismissed by rights monitors as attempts to justify indiscriminate attacks.
Kayah, a remote and mountainous region, has borne the brunt of military repression since the 2021 coup.
More than 300 airstrikes have been recorded in the state, leaving over 500 civilians dead and displacing nearly 200,000 people.
Churches, schools, and hospitals have not been spared—52 churches, 25 schools, and 16 hospitals have reportedly been destroyed.
During his inaugural Regina Caeli address, Pope Leo XIV appealed for peace in conflict-ridden regions, including Myanmar.
He lamented the renewed violence in the country, saying that “new hostilities have cut short innocent young lives.” The Pope urged the global community not to forget those suffering due to war.
This week, the Royal Thai Air Force deployed two F-16 jets to intercept a Myanmar Yak-130 bomber flying near Tak province after it dropped bombs close to the border.
The airstrike, which targeted a Karen rebel base just a kilometre from Thai territory, forced 377 civilians to flee into Thailand.
They are now housed in three temporary shelters, with Thai troops providing security and humanitarian assistance.
