The Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) and allied forces have launched offensive operations against military council camps along the Thai-Myanmar border in Myawaddy Township, Karen State, with intense fighting reported as the military council responds with airstrikes, according to border military sources. On the morning of July 5, the military council’s Y-12 aircraft conducted bombing raids near the Thei Thei Lay military camp, dropping approximately 8 bombs. In yesterday’s fighting, artillery fire from military council forces killed two civilians and injured three others.
Currently, KNLA allied forces are conducting simultaneous siege operations against three military council camps – Waw Lay, U Krit Hta, and Thei Thei Lay. Continuous exchanges of fire have been occurring since July 3, with the military council also deploying drones for bombing attacks, according to border military sources. The fighting has forced approximately 300 local residents to flee across the border into Thailand, where Thai authorities are providing necessary assistance to the displaced civilians.
Due to the intensity of fighting on the Myanmar side, Thai military forces have taken up defensive positions along the border with full armaments and increased security measures. The Karen National Union (KNU) is now reportedly close to controlling the entire Thai-Myanmar border area, with only three military council camps remaining to be captured – U Krit Hta, Waw Lay Strategic Hill, and Thei Thei Lay military camp.
The KNU has successfully captured numerous military council camps along the Thai-Myanmar border throughout March, April, May, and June of this year, including Pu Lu Tu, Khlay Day, Thaw Kho Bi Khee, Maw Phar Thu, Ta Lay, Mae La, Black Do, Maw Khee, Bogyoke Aung San Hill, Ka Nae Lay, and Shwe Aye Myaing camps. They further captured Thee Baw Boe camp on June 3 and Htee Ka Play camp on June 22. Military analysts predict that fighting will continue to intensify as the KNLA and allied forces attempt to capture the remaining three military council camps, which would complete their control over the border area.
