Despite the military council’s announcement of a 20-day ceasefire, they continue to launch artillery attacks on villages in Kawkareik Township, according to officials from the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) and People’s Defense Force (PDF) allied forces. While the military council declared a ceasefire from April 2 to April 22, military operations have not ceased, with daily artillery attacks targeting villages in southern and northern Kawkareik, as well as Mon villages in the region.
The military council is conducting attacks through land, sea, and air forces, using artillery-mounted vehicles, surveillance aircraft, and drone strikes. They particularly target Karen villages, areas along the Asian Highway, and Mon villages near the Gyaing and Haungtharaw rivers, including Kawbein, Kawpauk, Tharana, and Dhamma Thara villages. Military vessels in the Gyaing River are conducting artillery strikes against these areas.
Within Kawkareik Township, multiple military units are involved in the attacks, including Infantry Battalions 545 and 546, Military Operations Command 12, Hlaingwa Artillery Base, Infantry Battalion 97, Napyukan Artillery Base, Htawunkyu Village outpost, Shwekyetmin Camp, and Aung Zeya Operations Rear Base. On April 6 and 7, artillery-mounted vehicles near the broken bridge fired upon villages including Kawngae, Htawunkyu, Ywarthitkon, Michaunginn, Hlaingseik, Pyarpin, and Sinkon, along with drone bombing operations.
On April 5, approximately five artillery shells were fired at the Taungkyatinn area, and on April 6, attacks were conducted against Yeipugyi village, Koetaing, and Hlaingkway Pagoda Hill areas. Artillery shells landed and exploded in rubber plantations, durian orchards, and other agricultural areas, according to local residents. Military analysts suggest that the military council is conducting daily artillery strikes due to their fear of attacks from the People’s Defense Force and Karen National Union forces.
