Mawlamyine, July (1)
Fighting may escalate in southern and northern Mon State, the strongholds of resistance forces, the KNU and People’s Defense Forces told Than Lwin Times.
In recent days, the regime forces suffered heavy losses from the attacks of the KNLA/PDFs and the Mon State-based revolutionary forces.
Fighting may erupt as junta troops attempt to invade some villages in Belin, said Colonel Saw Kyaw Myint, the chairman of KNU’s Allied Oversight Committee.
On June 29, the attack on the bridge injured 26 junta troops including Colonel Aung Aung Hein, police forces, and departmental staff, and four of them are in critical condition.
There have been clashes between the KNLA/PDF and the junta army in four days of fighting from June 25 to 28, and airstrikes and artillery shelling of regime forces killed three residents.
The regime troops have now set up camps in the village and are wandering around, so some locals are afraid to stay and are fleeing, a local said.
Following the joint defense forces raid on the police station on June 29, troops entered Hnit Karen village, opened fire, and made arrests.
Since June 18, the revolutionary forces have been conducting military operations to control Mawlamyine-Ye-Dawei, No. 8 Pyidaungsu Road.
While the KNLA/PDF joint forces attempt to take control of the area, the junta army may carry out counter-attacks, potentially intensifying the fighting in Ye Township, said Lieutenant Yan Naing, the spokesperson of the People’s Defense Force.
The junta relinquished at least three military camps in Thaton District and at least six police outposts in Ye and Thanbyuzayet Townships, while resistance forces kept some large villages under control.
Both the New Mon State Party and the Karen National Union (KNU) hold some territory in Mon State, and the combined force of KNLA/PDF are stepping up their military activities there.
News-Than Lwin Times
Photo-KNLA
Thanlwintimes