Kawthoolei, 14 October
Myanmar military could no longer carry out offensives in Kawthoolei area as before, and the loss of territory increased, KNU spokesperson Padoh Saw Tony told Than Lwin Times.
Since the coup, nearly 10,000 battles have taken place between regime forces and the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) and the Karen National Defense Force (KNDO).
More than 3,500 battles broke out between the junta army and the combined forces of the KNLA in the nine months from January to September of this year, with the junta suffering heavy losses.
“At present, the military council cannot deliver food to their bases by land, and in most places they have to rely on helicopters to deliver food. We want to inform the public that the battle we are waging is moving forward gradually,” said Padoh Saw Tony.
According to a report by the Karen Peace Support Network (KPSN), both the military and administration of the military council in southeastern Myanmar have faded, and the military council has lost up to 62 military camps due to offensive attacks by KNU allies since the military coup.
In addition, the report stated that the KNU could not only gain more control along the Than Lwin River but also gain more control over the main communication routes between Yangon and Nay Pyi Taw.
After the coup, the KNU captured most of the military camps along the Than Lwin River in the KNU territory and could control more than 70 percent of the area east of the Sittaung River. Besides, the KNU troops have penetrated to the western side of the Sittaung River and are continuing fighting, said Padoh Saw Toney.
The military council could no longer launch offensives in the areas of KNU Brigade 1-Thaton District, and the KNU troops could now control and conduct inspections along Mawlamyin-Ye-Dawei No. 8 Union Road, which was previously uncontrollable.
From January to September 2023, there were 3,570 battles between the junta army and KNLA/KNDO forces, and 3,865 soldiers were killed and 2,260 were wounded, according to the figure released by the KNU.
News – Than Lwin Times
Photo: KNU