Since April 9, the epic collapse of much of the Junta’s regional command centre in Myawaddy Karen State and aerial bombardment that followed, has forced thousands of residents to flee across the border to Mae Sot to seek refuge on the Thai side.
Although 2 Junta battalions surrendered, previous claims that the 275th Infantry Battalion were also on the verge of abandoning their Myawaddy base under severe pressure from the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) -led resistance, has proved to be misleading.
In spite of 600 Junta troops and their family members from battalions surrounding Myawaddy that have surrendered, the 275th the last battalion standing in this area, is stubbornly fighting on.
The Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) is leading joint resistance forces in heavy attacks against the remaining Junta troops stationed in Myawaddy. Airstrikes carried out by the Junta on the morning of April 10,caused fires in residential areas surrounding the
Junta's 275th Infantry Battalion stationed in Myawaddy.
U Chit Htoo, the executive director of the Education and Development Foundation located in Thailand, noted that numerous individuals are crossing the bridge into the Thai side due to the ongoing clashes, with many resorting to illegal border crossings.
He remarked that since the Thai government has preemptively announced its intention to take action against those who cross the border illegally. Efforts should be made to assist these individuals in obtaining some form of legal status. As a result of the ongoing clashes in Myawaddy, the Thai Border guards have implemented heightened security measures in Mae Sot.
The Junta is consistently sending reinforcements and air support to Myawaddy, fiercely attempting to re-capture their lost bases. Photos circulating on social media showed KNLA troops being deployed around the No. 1 Myanmar-Thailand Friendship Bridge at the border.
However the bridge itself still seems to be in the hands of Junta police and immigration officials,and trucks from Thailand appear to be still crossing into Myanmar unhindered by resistance groups.
