YANGON: Myanmar junta troops have reoccupied the vital border town of Myawaddy, which they were ousted from earlier this month by a coalition of ethnic rebels and anti-junta fighters, military sources told AFP on Tuesday.
The Karen National Union (KNU) and “People’s Defence Force” fighters successfully expelled around 200 military soldiers from strategic positions in Myawaddy around April 10, dealing a significant blow to the junta’s control over the lucrative trade hub.
Following the clashes, the military forces retreated to a bridge connecting Myawaddy to Thailand’s Mae Sot town, prompting thousands to flee Myanmar amid the unrest.
According to junta spokesperson Zaw Min Tun, some military troops have now returned to the previously vacated 275 military command base in Myawaddy. However, he noted that the military does not yet have complete control over the town, refraining from disclosing any recent fighting activity.
Reports indicate that there were casualties on both sides during previous clashes, but details remain limited. Efforts to obtain a response from a KNU spokesperson regarding the recent developments were unsuccessful at the time of reporting.
While a resident of Myawaddy described the town as relatively quiet on Tuesday, another military source, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed that troops had retaken the 275 base.
In recent days, the military has conducted airstrikes in the vicinity of Myawaddy and deployed reinforcements towards the town. Ongoing fighting has also been reported in the nearby town of Kawkareik, which lies along the route to Myawaddy.
The Karen State Border Guard Force, a local militia aligned with the military and controlling much of Myawaddy, had previously announced its defiance of the junta’s authority earlier this year. However, its role in the recent clashes remains unclear, and attempts to reach the group for comment were unsuccessful.
The conflict in Myanmar, triggered by the military’s coup in February 2021, has led to widespread displacement and turmoil, with millions forced to flee across the border into Thailand.
The military coup, which ousted the elected government led by Aung San Suu Kyi, has reignited conflict with ethnic rebel groups and spurred the emergence of numerous “People’s Defence Forces,” challenging the military’s authority with unexpected effectiveness.
