Myanmar's junta experienced another setback near the Thai border as the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) and their resistance allies took control of Infantry Battalion 355 headquarters and a police station in Myawaddy Township on Saturday (9 March).
Affiliated with the Karen National Union, the KNLA launched attacks on Thingannyinaung village on Thursday, leading to the capture of the military base and police station by Saturday, reports The Irrawaddy.
Thingannyinaung strategically sits between the border town of Myawaddy and Kawkareik along the crucial Asia Highway to Thailand.
Infantry Battalions 356 and 357 nearby are currently under attack, prompting the junta to respond with airstrikes and shelling. The Irrawaddy cited a resistance fighter stating, "We are now fighting to seize Infantry Battalion 356. Most of the soldiers have fled the base, and just a few remain. The troops from 355 and 356 ran to Battalion 357 to fight back."
During the three days of clashes, around 100 junta bombs hit the village, destroying almost 60 homes. About 50 regime bombardments occurred on Friday, leaving approximately 60 civilians.
"Almost all villagers have left, with some remaining to take care of their properties," said a resident. Thingannyinaung, which had almost 3,000 civilian households and around 7,000 residents, saw almost all residents fleeing to Myawaddy and nearby villages.
On Friday, a junta bomb killed two residents and injured eight others in the nearby Thingan Nyi Naung village. By Saturday afternoon, anti-regime forces had suffered five deaths and two casualties, while junta losses remain unknown.
According to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, at least 4,654 civilians have been killed, and 26,228 have been detained by the junta.