Myanmar regime claims control of key highway in Karen State

Junta-controlled state media claimed on Friday that the military has recaptured a 15-mile stretch of highway between the towns of Kawkareik and Kyondoe in Karen State. According to a report by the state-run Myanmar Ahlin newspaper, the military began its operations to retake the road on April 13, and finally succeeded more than three months later after engaging in seven major battles and 85 skirmishes. However, resistance forces operating in the area denied that the regime had taken full control of the road, which is part of the Asian Highway linking Myanmar to neighbouring Thailand. According to one source close to the resistance, the area around the town of Kawkareik remains under the control of anti-junta fighters. “They still can’t go from Kawkareik to Kyondoe, or from Kawkareik to the Taung Naw waterfall,” the source said, adding that the regime forces have only retaken a few locations along the road where anti-junta fighters have decided to withdraw. The Taw Naw waterfall is located east of Kawkareik, on the road to the border town of Myawaddy, while Kyondoe is situated to the west. Beginning in April of last year, the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) and its People’s Defence Force (PDF) allies launched an offensive to capture Kawkareik, where Infantry Battalions 97, 230, and 231, as well as Artillery Battalion 312, are stationed. However, the regime used extensive air support and heavy artillery to counterattack, forcing the resistance forces to retreat. Resistance fighters with weapons seized from the junta’s Ukayithta base on July 12 (Photo: Cobra Column 2 / Facebook) According to a resident of Kawkareik, last week’s announcement by the regime was just part of its effort to deceive the public about the situation in the area. “The news about them regaining control of the Kyondoe-Kawkareik highway is just psychological warfare,” the local told Myanmar Now. “The [resistance forces] avoided urban warfare because it hurts civilians, destroys the town, and is difficult to maintain control,” he added. “Withdrawing was likely just a strategic move.” Currently, the KNLA is conducting offensive operations against junta bases along the Thai-Myanmar border, and is also attacking the Waw Lay tactical base, the regime’s last remaining outpost in Myawaddy Township, he said. On July 12, a combined force of KNLA and PDF troops captured the junta’s base at Ukayithta, a village some 30 miles south of the town of Myawaddy and just 170 yards west of the border. In April of last year, the KNLA-led forces captured Myawaddy in a major blow to the regime. However, they withdrew within weeks, even as they managed to push back a junta column advancing on the town from Kawkareik Township. That column has since reached Myawaddy, after junta deputy chief Vice Senior General Soe Win personally commanded an operation that included around 500 troops armed with armoured vehicles, multiple rocket launcher systems, and heavy artillery. The junta has announced that it will move to quickly regain complete control of the entire Kawkareik-Myawaddy road section, which is the main Thailand-Myanmar trade route.

Myanmar regime claims control of key highway in Karen State

Resistance forces and locals deny, however, that the junta has completely retaken the road between the towns of Kawkareik and Kyondoe

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