The Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) has successfully captured a guard post belonging to the Aung Zeya Operation Force in Kawkareik, Karen State. The seizure took place in the afternoon of May 14, when KNLA allied forces launched an attack on the guard post located near the Asian Highway between Htawankyu and Ywarthetkone villages in Kawkareik. The captured position was formerly a checkpoint operated by DKBA Colonel Nar Ma Kyar and was situated near the military council’s Shwe Kyat Min rear base, at the entrance and within the village area.
According to military zone sources, the military council had been conducting airstrikes using Y-12 aircraft for two consecutive days along the Asian Highway, with jet fighters also launching attacks on the morning of May 14. The KNLA forces managed to capture the post by advancing from the direction of Auk Bo Teh. Currently, KNLA allied forces are continuing their offensive operations against military council troops positioned at the Shwe Kyat Min monastery area in Htawankyu village and Yangut monastery locations in the vicinity of Kawkareik from May 10 to 14. The military sources report that the council forces have been targeting Htawankyu village specifically with Y-12 aircraft bombardments for two days, resulting in extensive damage to village houses.
Karen military sources reveal that the military council has established positions within the village and is conducting bombing raids and drone strikes to eliminate cover for Karen forces and People’s Defense Force (PDF) units attacking their positions near Shwe Kyat Min monastery and Yangut monastery. Similar bombing campaigns were carried out last year in Kawt Nwe village, resulting in complete destruction of the village, death of livestock including cattle and pigs, and leaving residents too fearful to return. According to KNLA allied force members, their recent offensive operations have left the military council’s Aung Zeya operation forces with only their rear base at Shwe Kyat Min monastery area and forward positions near Taw Naw waterfall mountain range. These remaining forces are reportedly cut off from reinforcements and supplies.
