Resistance forces close roads as Myanmar military tries to retake Moebye

Karenni resistance forces say they have temporarily closed some roads in Moebye amid a renewed push by Myanmar’s military to retake the town in southern Shan State’s Pekhon Township. Over the past month, regime forces, together with the allied Pa-O National Army (PNA), have launched multiple attacks on Moebye, which has been under resistance control since November 2023. “A few days ago, junta shelling killed a woman in the town. They’ve started another offensive to take Moebye, so we’ve had to close some roads,” Banyar Khun Aung, secretary 2 of the Karenni State Interim Executive Council, told Myanmar Now on Monday. Moebye, known as the gateway to Karenni State, has been a frequent target of regime attacks, mostly from the Light Infantry Battalion (LIB) 422 base about two miles to the north. The base has remained under regime control since the town was captured. The latest offensive started nearly a month ago, when around 700 junta and PNA troops began advancing on Moebye from the north along the Pinlaung-Pekhon road west of Moebye Lake on June 8. On June 23, they attacked and captured resistance-held positions in the town’s market area, according to a local resident. “We’ve lost more than half of Moebye. The junta army has regained control of areas like Thayetkone, Sika, Paw-U, and Kwetthit. Four or five days ago, hundreds of shells were landing. People going back to check their homes and get supplies were affected. That was the worst time,” the resident said. The junta and PNA forces stationed at the LIB 422 base use heavy artillery, superior drone capabilities, and airstrikes to force anti-regime groups to withdraw, according to locals. “The resistance forces don’t have much, but the other side has sufficient manpower and weapons, so the resistance troops have had to retreat,” said one person living near the town. The anti-regime groups have not yet released any statements about the current situation in Moebye, but pro-junta media has claimed that most of the town is back under regime control. Meanwhile, another column of around 1,000 junta and PNA troops has also been advancing on Moebye from Nyaungshwe Township. The column has reportedly torched at least 30 houses in villages along its route east of Moebye Lake. According to Zin Yaw, a former Myanmar army captain who defected to the resistance, losing control of Moebye would leave resistance forces across the border in Karenni State more vulnerable to regime attacks. “If Moebye is taken, they [junta troops] could gradually expand through Karenni territory,” he said, adding that this development would be especially concerning for resistance forces controlling Demoso, south of the Karenni State capital Loikaw. According to residents of villages west of Moebye Lake, the military has also restricted travel along the main Pinlaung-Pekhon-Moebye road since June 20. The junta army’s offensive operations have forced most people living in this area to flee their homes, local sources said.

Resistance forces close roads as Myanmar military tries to retake Moebye

The southern Shan State town, known as the gateway to Karenni State, has been under the control of Karenni forces since late 2023

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