The Karen National Union (KNU) has announced the successful capture of the Thalay military strategic base near the Thai-Myanmar border in Karen State, resulting in the death of nine military council soldiers including a captain. The operation took place on May 13 at 7 PM, when the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) 2025 and Karen National Defense Organization (KNDO) jointly attacked and seized the base, which was occupied by the military council’s Infantry Battalion 24 and Artillery Unit 311. The base, known as Nya Kyaw (aka) Thalay strategic base, was located in KNU-controlled territory near the Thai-Myanmar border.
During the battle, nine military council soldiers, including a captain from the artillery unit, were killed. The deputy commander of Infantry Battalion 24 managed to escape, and revolutionary forces are currently pursuing the fleeing military council soldiers. The captured Thalay base was originally established by the Myanmar military in 1986. Since its construction, local villagers in the surrounding areas had lost their freedom of movement and ability to conduct their daily livelihood activities. According to the KNU Central Committee, with the base now under their control, residents from nearby villages will be able to resume their normal activities and livelihoods as before.
Additionally, on the morning of May 15, KNU forces began attacking another military base at Mor Pho Kay, located one kilometer from the Thai-Myanmar border. As a result of this ongoing operation, 414 local civilians have been forced to flee to the Thai side of the border for safety. The successful capture of these strategic positions represents a significant development in the resistance movement’s efforts to protect civilian populations and restore local communities’ rights and freedoms that had been restricted under military control.
