The Karen National Union (KNU) Central Executive Committee member and spokesperson Padoh Saw Taw Nee has stated that the ongoing offensive by the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) and People’s Defense Force (PDF) alliance to capture military council camps along the Thai-Myanmar border has reached a more strategically significant phase than capturing major cities. The seizure of these border positions represents a critical blow to the military council’s revenue streams and operational capabilities.
According to Padoh Saw Taw Nee, the Myawaddy-Mae Sot and Htee Khee border trade gates are crucial revenue sources for the military council, making their control equivalent to capturing a major city in strategic importance. The allied forces are working to clear military presence along the entire 3,000-kilometer border stretch spanning Karenni, Karen, Mon States, and Tanintharyi Region. The systematic clearing operations aim to completely remove military council presence from these border areas, which serve as vital economic corridors.
The KNU spokesperson detailed the current progress of their operations, noting that Brigade 5 territory has been almost completely cleared, while Brigade 7 area has only a few remaining military council camps. In Brigade 6 territory, only one strategic base remains, and the Htee Khee camp in Brigade 4 area has already been captured. The combined forces of KNLA, KNDO, and PDF have successfully seized control of more than 10 major strategic bases, over 20 border security camps, and numerous smaller outposts, totaling nearly 50 military installations across KNU Brigades 4, 5, 6, and 7 territories. This systematic dismantling of military council presence along the border represents a significant shift in the balance of power in these strategically important areas.
