Myanmar military junta reinforcements, en route to Myawaddy town in Karen State, pushed into the Dawna Mountain Range on Sunday, despite encountering resistance from Karen and allied forces, a resistance group reported.
Nearly 1,000 junta troops departed from Kawkareik on April 11 as part of Operation Aung Zeya, aimed at bolstering troops in Myawaddy following the defeat of Infantry Battalion 275 by Karen forces. Although Kawkareik lies just 42 km west of Myawaddy, the rugged Dawna Mountain Range stands between them.
The junta column faced delays for over two weeks due to attacks by the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) and allied People’s Defense Force groups (PDFs). However, on Sunday, the troops pressed on into the Dawna mountains, passing Tadanku and Ywar Thit Kone villages.
Major Kyaw Hein, deputy platoon commander of the Albino Tiger, a PDF active in the area, confirmed the advance but noted that the troops had not yet reached the Taw Naw waterfall, a landmark in the Dawna range.
An analyst highlighted the importance of the reinforcement column for junta troops in Myawaddy and surrounding areas, stressing that their inability to traverse the Dawna mountains could lead to isolation.
Even if the reinforcements breach the mountains, reaching Myawaddy remains challenging, with the area under KNLA control and resistance forces present.
Myawaddy, now back under regime control, fell to the KNLA on April 11 but was retaken by regime troops on April 23.
Karen National Union (KNU) spokesperson Padoh Saw Taw Nee stated that KNLA troops withdrew temporarily from Myawaddy to avoid entrapment.
Witnesses reported sightings of regime soldiers patrolling Myawaddy since Friday, confirming the regime's return to the town.
Although no recent fighting has occurred in Myawaddy, clashes erupted on April 24 near Swal Taw Kone Hill, about 12.8 km away, between junta troops and joint resistance forces.
A junta Y-12 fighter jet conducted airstrikes near Lay Kay Kaw on Thursday night, dropping over 40 bombs in the area, according to a source from a nearby internally displaced persons camp. Residents of Mae Sot, Thailand reported hearing explosions from the bombings.
BOB Post
