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Karen Forces Clash With Myanmar Military Along Strategic Highway to Myawaddy. The Irrawaddy

Home  News  War Against KNLA troops and allied forces take a break on a forested track. 

Junta troops clashed with the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) and People’s Defense Force (PDF) allies along the Asian Highway linking Kawkareik with the border trade hub of Myawaddy in Karen State on Sunday. Junta reinforcements advancing to Myawaddy have been stuck on the mountainous Kawkareik-Myawaddy road near Taw Naw Waterfall for more than two weeks despite air and artillery support.

Kawkareik is located just 42 kilometers west of Myawaddy but the two towns are separated by the Dawna Mountains. Junta launched Ops Aung Zeya on April 11 to retake Myawaddy after KNLA & its allies had seized township’s last remaining regime base a week earlier. But junta forces recaptured Myawaddy town with help from the Karen Border Guard Force (BGF) on April 23.

Operation Aung Zeya counteroffensive comprises around 1,000 troops equipped with armored vehicles, tanks, and artillery. Deputy junta chief Soe Win is overseeing the operation. Kawkareik and Myawaddy are located on either side of the Dawna Mountains. Residents on the outskirts of Myawaddy town reported hearing loud shelling on Sunday night and Monday morning.

Karen BGF spokesman Major Naing Maung Zaw said: “I heard clashed near a hill near Taw Naw Waterfall. Aung Zeya troops fired multiple rocket launchers from Dawna Range. B'cos of wind direction, people from Mae Sot heard the clashes as if they were happening in Myawaddy.” A Myawaddy resident with ties to KNLA said regime forces Sunday night shelled Mel Kanel & Atwin Kwin Kalay villages in Myawaddy Township where thought the KNLA and allies were based.
https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/war-again...waddy.html