KNU seizes key Thai-Myanmar border town of Mawdaung

After four days of attacks, the Karen National Union (KNU) has captured Mawdaung, a town in eastern Tanintharyi Region located on the Thai-Myanmar border, according to KNU sources. The KNU’s Brigade 4 and allied forces began their assault on the town, where Infantry Battalion 224 troops, police, and pro-junta Pyu Saw Htee militia forces are stationed, on Monday. According to Saw El Nah Nah, secretary of the KNU’s Myeik-Dawei District, the town finally fell to its forces on Friday. “Right now, there is just one artillery hill camp left. The rest is just a matter of clearing the territory. Once we capture the artillery position, everything will be done,” Saw El Nah Nah confirmed when contacted by Myanmar Now early Friday afternoon. He also noted that Mawdaung, which was the KNU’s headquarters in Tanintharyi Township until it was lost to a Myanmar army offensive in 1990, was back under KNU control after 35 years. During the battle to retake the town, at least 10 junta troops fled across the border into Thailand, he added. The fighting also forced local civilians to flee amid heavy artillery fire from a junta base near the border. The regime has carried out a number of offensives in eastern Tanintharyi Region since the end of last year, in a bid to reinforce its positions along the border. However, its ground troops have not been able to advance beyond Theinkhun, a village about 16 miles southeast of the town of Tanintharyi, according to KNU Brigade 4 sources. Comrade Star, commander of the National Unity Government’s Tanintharyi Region Military Command, also confirmed the capture of Mawdaung on Friday, but added that the regime continues to carry out attacks in the area. “Currently, clearing operations are still ongoing. The enemy is also conducting airstrikes. The ground situation is not yet stable. The joint [resistance] forces will release detailed information soon,” he said. In July, nine junta soldiers from the column advancing towards Mawdaung defected with their weapons to the KNU Brigade 4’s Battalion 11. If the KNU can capture the entire Mawdaung area, it will gain control of its second border trade checkpoint location in Tanintharyi Region this year. In May, the KNU and its People’s Defence Force allies captured the Htee Kee checkpoint in Dawei Township after a 10-day offensive. The area also hosts a major junta army base. In addition to Mawdaung and Htee Kee, the KNU has also captured the junta’s Thukha, Ngayantni and Bawdi camps along the border. Clashes have been reported in at least five locations in Tanintharyi Region since last week.

KNU seizes key Thai-Myanmar border town of Mawdaung

The town was formerly the KNU’s headquarters in Tanintharyi Region, until it was captured by Myanmar military 35 years ago

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