Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) and its joint revolutionary forces were able to completely attack and occupy the 275th Infantry Battalion under the junta in Myawaddy Town, Karen State, and the junta troops from the battalion fled into Thailand through the second Thai Myanmar Bridge, local residents said.
The 275th Battalion was attacked by the revolutionary joint forces on April 8th and was finally occupied at around 4:30 am on April 11th, and a large number of weapons and ammunition were also seized, according to the KNU (Karen National Union-Central).
“It’s true that the 275th LIB of the SAC have been captured. We haven’t finished clearing the area yet. It’s still being cleared,” said a revolutionary soldier from the Cobra Column.
Karen National Defence Organization (KNDO) and its joint revolutionary forces gave the 275th Battalion, which was the last remaining battalion in Myawady Town, a chance to surrender, but the junta troops did not surrender and attacked the joint forces to be able to come their reinforcements, the KNU-Central reported.
During the battle, the military junta continuously bombarded and shelled to prevent its battalion from falling; as a consequence, at least five places were on fire in the town, including the buildings in the Myawaddy trade zone and Sein Lei Myaing Bus Terminal.
“Around 4 o’clock this morning, I heard loud noises. Many people are posting on social media that the 275th has been defeated. It’s almost for sure because Thai media is talking about it. It’s been quiet for an hour in Myawaddy,” said a local woman in Myawaddy.
According to local news sources, more than 200 junta soldiers, who had abandoned their battalion, have arrived at the Thai-Myanmar Friendship Bridge and are seeking asylum on the Thai side.
At present, since all junta camps in Myawaddy have been defeated, the remnants of the junta will continue to be cleared, and the KNU has appealed to the public to cooperate without fear.
On March 7th, the KNLA and its joint revolutionary forces launched an offensive against the 355th, 356th, and 357th Light Infantry Battalions in Thingan Nyi Naung, Myawaddy Town. They captured the 355th, 356th, and 357th Light Infantry Battalions, the Thingan Nyi Naung police station, and the Thang Nin Naung military strategic base. At least 617 people, including junta soldiers and their family members, including the strategic commander, surrendered.