KNU blocks off Kayin State road for one week amid clashes

16 Jan 2023

DMG Newsroom
16 January 2023, Kyainnseikgyi, Kayin State

The Karen National Union (KNU) said in a statement that the Kyainnseikgyi-Phayathonzu road would be closed to traffic for a week, from January 16 to 23, to protect local residents by restricting their travel amid fighting in Kyainnseikgyi Township, Kayin State.

A source close to the KNU said the road section was closed because of the heavy fighting between the military and an anti-regime coalition led by Brigade 6 of the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) in Kyainnseiggyi Township.

“Clashes have occurred in Kyainnseikgyi Township in recent days. We blocked off the Kyainnseikgyi-Phayathonzu road for a week due to the junta’s air attacks and artillery strikes. I would like to ask locals and travellers to wait for a while for the reopening of the road section,” the source added.

The statement on the Kyainnseikgyi-Phayathonzu road closure was signed by KNLA Brigade 6 Dooplaya District Secretary Padoh Saw Liston.

Traffic between Chaunghnitkhwa village in Kyaikmaraw Township, Mon State, and Kyainnseikgyi Township in Kayin State has been suspended since Monday morning due to the presence of members of a coalition led by the KNLA, according to local bus lines.

“We are now near Chaunghnitkhwa Bridge and some vehicles have turned back. We will have to wait until the road reopens,” said a passenger bus driver plying a route between Mawlamyine and Phayathonzu.

Anti-regime forces led by KNLA have launched attacks on the military’s Kyainnseikgyi-based Light Infantry Battalion Nos. 32, 283 and 284 simultaneously in recent days and fierce clashes broke out from January 4 to 10.

During the fighting, the military conducted multiple airstrikes and fired hundreds of artillery shells, according to local people.

So far, at least 4,000 people have been displaced by fighting in Kyainnseikgyi Township, according to aid workers.