Junta column faces strong resistance en route to Hpapun tactical base

A junta column en route to support an encircled junta base in northern Karen State’s Hpapun town is facing strong resistance by allied resistance forces, according to the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) Brigade 5. In early May, about 2,000 junta troops departed from Kamamaung town towards Hpapun to reinforce troops defending a Tactical Operations Command base in the town. KNLA Brigade 5 and allied resistance forces have currently surrounded and are besieging the base, according to the Brigade 5 spokesperson, Padoh Saw Htoo Robin. The column is currently located near Hpar Long Ywar Lay village on the Hpapun-Kamamaung road. Local sources said the last 27 miles from there to Hpapun is a difficult route and will take more time for the column to cross. On September 13, a junta private from the Kawkareik-based Light Infantry Battalion 357 surrendered to KNLA Brigade 5 along with his weapons: a 60mm mortar, three mortar shells, and an MA-1 rifle, according to the group. The following day, joint resistance forces seized three rifles during a clash with junta troops near War Tho Kho village. Two of the rifles were newly redesigned MA-1 rifles produced by the regime, the KNLA spokesperson said. The spokesperson added that the seized rifles made it likely that there were three casualties on the junta side. However, this could not be confirmed, as the junta column included many forcibly conscripted youths, some of whom may have fled the front line fighting, leaving their guns behind. Map of the Hpapun battle Myanmar Now reached out to junta spokesperson Khine Khine Soe to learn more about the situation, but the phone went unanswered. The KNLA Brigade 5 spokesperson stated that the junta’s objective was to provide reinforcements for the Hpapun tactical command south of the town, which is under attack by resistance forces. If the regime column manages to reach the Hpapun tactical command, they would likely launch an offensive to regain control of Hpapun Township. KNLA Brigade 5 and allied forces seized Hpapun town in March 2024. Since then, they have been locked in a stalemate with the regime over the battle for the base. While resistance forces have not yet captured it, junta troops have also been unable to exit the base and retake the town.

Junta column faces strong resistance en route to Hpapun tactical base

A 2,000-strong junta column is battling its way towards Hpapun to reinforce encircled troops at the tactical command base south of the town

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