A representative from the Cobras Special Force has confirmed that more than 150 military council personnel, including a battalion commander, deputy battalion commander, and a major, were killed during four months of fighting along the Thai-Myanmar border’s Mawtaung trade route in Tanintharyi Region. The intense battles occurred almost daily between the military council forces and the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) allied forces along the Thein Khun-Mawtaung border trade route from December 28, 2024, to May 6, 2025.
Over one hundred separate engagements were reported during this period, resulting in significant casualties for the military council forces, including high-ranking officers. Additionally, 12 soldiers from the military council defected to the KNLA allied forces (Black Cobra) column, bringing their weapons with them. The defectors included three soldiers from Infantry Battalion 431, three from Infantry Battalion 280, and six from Light Infantry Battalion 17. They brought with them nine MA-1 rifles, two A-2 rifles, and six hand grenades when they surrendered to the resistance forces.
Battalion 11 commander awarded each defector with 5 million kyats as a recognition reward for their decision to join the people’s side. The representative from the Cobras Special Force explained that many soldiers are choosing to leave the military council and join the people’s forces due to forced conscription practices by the military council. The ongoing conflicts have significantly impacted trade operations in the region and affected the daily lives of local civilians. The fighting continues to disrupt the border trade route, which serves as a crucial economic lifeline for the area, while local communities face increasing hardships due to the prolonged military operations in their region.
