In Kawkareik Township, Karen State, heavy fighting is underway between the military junta and Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) forces. Local sources report the closure of the Myawaddy-Kawkareik New Asia Road.
About 20 members of the military junta have been arrested by the revolutionary forces and there have been casualties on both sides, according to local news sources.
Residents report that hostilities commenced in Kawkareik Township on November 30 at 7:00 p.m. As of December 1, intense fighting has been ongoing in many villages, including Thadaoo, Khinnainmu, Wingyi, Tapyakhome, Myotawoo, Chaung Taungout, and surrounding areas.
Several departmental offices and residences in the township were set ablaze, leaving some residents trapped amid the fighting.
"They began firing mortar shells at 7:00 p.m. on November 30th and stopped at 10:00 p.m. On December 1st at 4:00 a.m., they started firing again. They closed the Asia Road and started shooting. We heard that departmental offices, including the mechanized agriculture offices in Kawkareik township, were on fire," said a resident.
Trucks, passenger vehicles were stranded near the township due to the fighting, according to one truck driver. "The drivers are also running into ditches. The fighting is very intense. We are still stuck as of now (December 1, around 10 am)," he added.
The Myawaddy-Kawkareik Asia road is presently closed, requiring the use of the Tawkawko road, reported truck drivers familiar with the area.
