BLACK COBRA Column has reported that intense fighting has been ongoing for six months along the Mawtaung-Htaukka road in Tanintharyi Region, with the terrorist military forces deliberately targeting civilians through airstrikes and heavy artillery. Since January until June 18, the terrorist military has been attempting to reinforce their border outpost in Mawtaung within KNU/KNLA Battalion 11 territory in Tanintharyi Township, aiming to control the Mawtaung-Htaukka road and arm Pyu Saw Htee groups in Mawtaung town.
Despite the military’s attempts to advance, strong resistance from combined forces of KNU/KNLA and revolutionary allies has halted their progress near Theinkun village, resulting in significant casualties among the terrorist forces. The military offensive has forced residents along the Mawtaung-Htaukka road to flee their homes for six months, while indiscriminate artillery shelling and airstrikes on nearby villages have resulted in civilian casualties. The terrorist military has been particularly aggressive on June 17 and 18, conducting airstrikes even on areas where there was no active fighting or revolutionary force presence, prompting BLACK COBRA Column to warn civilians to construct bomb shelters.
During the six-month offensive, Chaunghniphauk and Theinkun villages have suffered the most severe impact of the conflict. The terrorist military has occupied civilian infrastructure, including schools, monasteries, and residential buildings, converting them into temporary military bases. This occupation has prevented civilians from returning to their villages, severely disrupting their social, economic, health, and educational conditions.
The KNU/KNLA forces and allied revolutionary groups have declared their commitment to continue fighting against the terrorist military’s offensive with all available resources. The ongoing conflict has created a humanitarian crisis in the region, with displaced civilians facing significant challenges in accessing basic services and maintaining their livelihoods. The military’s aggressive tactics, including the use of airstrikes and heavy artillery against civilian areas, have been consistently documented throughout this period, demonstrating their disregard for civilian safety and international humanitarian law.
