The Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) allied forces have launched an intense offensive against the military council’s Infantry Battalion 24’s Than Lel camp in KNU Brigade 7 territory along the Thai-Myanmar border in Karen State. Beginning early morning on May 10, the allied forces have been conducting drone strikes and firing 81mm artillery at the military council’s Than Lel camp, while the military council has been responding with airstrikes to defend their position. This offensive follows the successful capture of the military council’s Taw Bi Kwee camp yesterday.
The Than Lel camp, which is currently under attack, is located on the Nawteya mountain ridge east of the recently captured Taw Bi Kwee camp. While the military council has called in air support and is conducting airstrikes, the KNLA allied forces continue their intense assault using drones and heavy artillery. Due to the camp’s proximity to Mae La village in Thailand’s Tha Song Yang district, the Thai military has closed border crossing points along the Thaung Yin River and increased patrol operations. The Thai military is conducting tank patrols every two hours, has set up checkpoints along the Mae La road, and closed all river crossing points. The Thai Naresuan Strategic Commander is personally monitoring the situation in Myanmar, watching for possible artillery shells landing on Thai territory and military council soldiers potentially fleeing across the border.
The Karen National Union (KNU) plans to continue offensive operations against all military council camps within KNU Brigade 7 territory along the Thai-Myanmar border. As a result, fighting is expected to spread to other military council positions in Myawaddy Township, including the Maw Poe Kay camp, Kyaw Kay Hti camp, Nawthara camp, and Wan Kha Thit camp. The Thai military’s increased border security measures reflect the serious nature of the ongoing offensive operations and their potential impact on the border region’s stability. The KNLA allied forces’ continued pressure on military council positions demonstrates their determination to challenge the military council’s control in the area.
