Bridges and roads connecting Kammamaung and Kataiti Villages in the Town of Hpapun were damaged or destroyed by the fighting hence locals were facing difficulties to travel, locals said.

“Kataiti and nearby villages are still reachable but can’t go any farther to the side of Kamamaung. Some bridges on the Kataiti-Kamamaung route had been destroyed by mine explosions. Roads were also badly damaged”, a resident from Kataiti village who did not wish to be named told KIC.

In September, Border Guard Forces (BGF) in Myaing Gyi Ngu had closed the access to the boat docks in the village after a cargo vessel of the Military Council suffered a landmine attack while preparing to cross the river.

In addition, a security outpost near Kanyindon bridge in Kataiti Village Group, set up by the BGF-1013 was stormed and attacked by the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA), according to the local sources.

“Last month, a vehicle-carrying vessel ferrying between Myaning Gyi Ngu and Ohn Taw suffered a bomb blast. After that, the boats from the village were not allowed to travel to Kamamaung anymore. They were allowed to travel only as far as Phawhtiku. The boat docks were reopened only once but closed again since then”, the villager said.

According to a statement by the Karen National Union (KNU), the BGF had made two massive military reinforcements in the Myain Kyi Ngu region since last month. In addition, daily clashes broke out in the territories controlled by KNU Brigade 5.