Karen insurgents claim victories near Thai border against Myanmar's junta

Staff Reporter

Mar 10, 2024, 11:18 AM2 min read

Karen insurgents claim victories near Thai border against Myanmar's junta

Soldiers of Karen National Union (KNU) stand guard Myanmar January 31, 2019. REUTERS/Ann Wang/File Photo Purchase Licensing Rights

Myanmar junta’s Infantry Battalion 355 headquarters and a police station in Myawaddy Township on the Thai border was seized by the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) and resistance allies on Saturday.

The KNLA, the military arm of the Karen National Union, alongside their allies, launched an assault on Thingannyinaung village beginning Thursday morning, resulting in the capture of both the base and police station by Saturday. Situated between the border town of Myawaddy and Kawkareik on the vital Asia Highway to Thailand, Thingannyinaung became a focal point of conflict. Concurrently, nearby Infantry Battalions 356 and 357 came under attack, as reported by a resistance fighter to The Irrawaddy. In response, the junta deployed airstrikes and shelling against the assailants.

"We're currently engaged in a struggle to secure Infantry Battalion 356. The majority of soldiers have abandoned the base, with only a handful remaining. Those from Battalions 355 and 356 have regrouped at Battalion 357 to mount a defense," stated the fighter.

Over the course of three days, approximately 100 bombs from the junta rained down on the village, resulting in the destruction of nearly 60 homes. Further bombardments continued on Friday, leaving only around 60 civilians remaining, according to a resident interviewed by The Irrawaddy. "The vast majority of villagers have evacuated, leaving behind a few to safeguard their belongings," the resident added. Previously housing nearly 3,000 civilian households and approximately 7,000 residents, most have fled to Myawaddy and neighboring villages.

Tragically, on Friday, a junta bomb claimed the lives of two residents and wounded eight others in nearby Thingan Nyi Naung village. As of Saturday afternoon, anti-regime forces had incurred five fatalities and two casualties, while the losses on the junta's side remain undisclosed. According to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, the junta's brutal crackdown has resulted in the deaths of at least 4,654 civilians, with 26,228 individuals detained.

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