The Karen National Union (KNU) forces have successfully captured the military council’s Mae La camp in KNU Brigade 7 territory along the Thai-Myanmar border in Karen State, as confirmed by KNU sources. The offensive began on May 14 at around 4 AM when KNLA joint forces initiated drone attacks on the Mae La military camp, followed by ground operations and siege tactics. The camp was finally captured on the evening of May 15, with operations continuing to pursue fleeing military council soldiers and officers.
Currently, approximately twenty military council camps and five strategic base camps remain within KNU Brigade 7 territory. In the Myawaddy district along the Thai-Myanmar border, the Naw Taya camp, Maw Pho Kee camp, and Wang Kha Thit military camp are still operational. Strategic hills and defensive positions remain in Hlaingbwe and Shan Ywar Thit areas, while military outposts continue to exist in Paingkyon area. In Kawkareik and Nabu regions, Infantry Battalions 547, 548, 549, and various road security outposts are still active, according to KNU sources.
Due to the ongoing offensive operations by KNLA allied forces against military positions along the Thai-Myanmar border, approximately 500 civilians from Mae La village on the Myanmar side have fled to Thailand for safety. The KNU and PDF joint forces had previously captured the military council’s Infantry Battalion 24’s Thalay strategic camp on the evening of May 13, followed by the capture of Mae La camp on May 15. This recent success follows a series of victories in March, April, and May, during which the KNU forces captured several military council positions including Pu Lu Tu, Khlay Day, Thaw Thi Khi, Maw Far Thu, and Thalay camps along the Thai-Myanmar border.
