Hundreds of vehicles left stranded by heavy fighting in Kawkareik

By Admin 01 Dec 2023

DMG Newsroom
1 December 2023, Kawkareik, Kayin State

Thousands of local people have reportedly been trapped by fighting between the military and anti-regime forces in downtown Kawkareik, Kayin (Karen) State and at junta bases near the Asia Highway in the township since Friday morning.

The combined forces of anti-regime resistance groups led by the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA), the armed wing of Karen National Union (KNU) and the Kaw Thoo Lei Army (KTLA) clashed with junta troops at four villages near Kawkareik and along the Asia Highway, and the fighting reportedly lasted for about nine hours.

“Fighting has erupted since Friday morning. Junta soldiers at military camps near three villages reportedly surrendered to the resistance forces,” said a resident of Kawkareik.

Some government offices and residential buildings in downtown Kawkareik caught fire due to the junta’s artillery strikes.

Hundreds of passenger buses and cargo trucks plying routes between Yangon and Myawaddy have been stranded near Kawkareik.

“Some government offices and homes in downtown Kawkareik caught fire due to the junta’s shelling. Hundreds of vehicles were trapped by the fighting and some cargo truck drivers hid in concrete drainage canals,” said one cargo truck driver.

Fighting was reportedly intense at many locations until 1 p.m. on December 1 and thousands of local residents have been trapped by the hostilities.

“We still hear gunfire and junta soldiers have taken positions near a local market. The two sides exchanged fire near an agricultural zone and around 7,000 locals were trapped by the fighting,” said a local resident.

Resistance forces launched coordinated attacks on junta bases in Kawkareik Township after the KNU on November 17 ordered staff employees at the junta-controlled department to leave the area within one week.

Civilian casualties were reported after the junta launched airstrikes on some villages near Kawkareik during the fighting, but details remained sketchy at time of publication.