According to Karen military sources, fighting continues to intensify along the Asia Highway in Kawkareik Township, Karen State, with the military council suffering heavy casualties, leading them to prepare additional forces from Myawaddy to launch new offensives. On August 23, near Htatan Koo village along the Asia Highway in Kawkareik Township, the military council launched an offensive with a large number of troops, conducting day-long attacks using heavy weapons and drones. During this battle, the military council suffered at least 60 casualties and was forced to retreat five times due to resistance forces’ counter-attacks.
Currently, the military council is conducting simultaneous offensives on the Asia Highway from two directions. One column is advancing from Htatan Koo and Kawngwe villages, while another is moving from the direction of Hankut-Kaungmuu villages via the old Dawna mountain road. Additionally, hundreds of troops have been deployed in and around Myawaddy town, with preparations underway to launch another column from the Thangyannaingngu area toward the Asia Highway. These movements suggest a planned pincer attack on the Asia Highway from both Kawkareik and Myawaddy directions.
At Light Infantry Battalion 275 in Myawaddy, there are now soldiers who had previously fled to Thailand and were sent back, along with new recruits brought in by the Thaw Kaw Ko People’s Militia Force from Military Division 22 in Hpa-an and Border Guard Force units. Around 300 troops have been positioned near the Thai-Myanmar Friendship Bridge No. 2, and the military has increased its forces and security posts at various locations including the Border Affairs Committee front office, police station, Heman U cemetery militia post, and the Karen New Year ground near the Red Earth junction. Local sources report that military families are preparing food rations for soldiers at the Karen New Year ground, and there is significant military movement throughout Myawaddy town.
