Three-day battle pits junta troops against KNLA-led resistance forces on Myawaddy-Waw Lay road

By DMG 25 Nov 2022

DMG Newsroom
25 November 2022, Myawaddy, Kayin State

Junta troops and Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) Brigade 6-led resistance forces engaged in fierce fighting on the Myawaddy-Waw Lay road in Kayin (Karen) State’s Myawaddy Township this week. Thousands of residents have been forced from their homes by junta aerial bombardments and artillery strikes.

Myanmar military soldiers deployed near Blackdo Village and the KNLA-led coalition clashed from November 22 to 24, according to a KNLA source.

“The fighting has been going on for three days. The clash happened as junta troops attempted to retake Thay Thaw Boe camp,” said the source.

More than 2,000 residents of Blackdo Village were forced to flee into the surrounding forests due to junta air raids and artillery strikes.

“The military bombed the village using helicopters and jets. Villagers did not dare to stay, and fled into the forest,” said a volunteer helping the displaced villagers.

Three villagers in their 40s were reportedly killed and five others were injured in the regime attacks.

“Three were killed by artillery strikes and five others were injured on their arms and legs. There could be more casualties, but we still don’t know,” said the volunteer.

DMG phone calls to junta spokesman Major-General Zaw Min Tun to enquire about the fighting on the Myawaddy-Waw Lay road went unanswered.

Three resistance fighters were killed and eight others were injured when Myanmar junta troops ambushed their vehicle, which was transporting food supplies to the front line on Tuesday.

Resistance forces have urged local residents to evacuate parts of Kayin State as junta troops are attempting to retake control of the Myawaddy-Waw Lay road and Thay Thaw Boe village.