Locals in Kayin State’s Kyainnseikgyi Twsp face travel difficulties after key bridge targeted

28 Jan 2023

DMG Newsroom
28 January 2023, Kyainnseikgyi, Kayin State

A bridge over the Darli Creek in Kyainnseikgyi Township, Kayin State, was targeted by an explosive device on Saturday, and the entire approach road to the bridge was damaged, causing difficulties for local residents.

The Darli Bridge was blown up by an unknown armed group at about 2 a.m. on January 28, damaging the bridge’s approach, said a resident of Shwelin Village.

“An approach leading to the village completely collapsed after the bridge was blown up at around 2 a.m. today for a second time. The road is currently impassable,” he added.

The bridge was attacked for the first time with a remote-controlled mine on January 25, according to local residents.

The bridge connects Kyainnseikgyi Township to Chaunghnitkhwa Village in neighbouring Kyaikmaraw Township, Mon State. 

“The bridge cannot be used and we have difficulties travelling and transporting commodities to other areas,” said a resident of Thanpayar Village.

Local people said the military has used the bridge to send food, weapons and reinforcements to frontline troops in Kyainnseikgyi Township.

A fierce clash broke out between the military and a coalition of anti-regime fighters led by Brigade 6 of the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) and the local People’s Defence Force (PDF) in December 2022.

No group has so far claimed responsibility for the bridge attack. The bridge, measuring 188 feet in length and 16 feet in width, is a reinforced concrete facility.