By LAWI WENG &THU REIN : Fighting between Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA) Battalion No.906 and the Burmese junta troops broke out again outside the Three Pagodas Pass (TPP) Township near the Thai border early this morning.
Residents living in TPP reported that fighting began this morning at 8 am in Baiyar Taung, about 7 miles from TPP town. Fighting ended at 11 am. Though artillery was fired on both sides, the number of casualties is as of now unknown.
A field reporter from The Independent Mon News Agency in TPP explained that the conflict was fought by DKBA led by commanding officer Lieutenant Saw A One and junta troops from the Infantry Battalion (IB) No. 406, which is controlled by Military Operations Command (MOC) in Tavoy, Tenasserim Division.
“We heard about 10 heavy artillery shootings,” said the IMNA reporter.
Lawi Mon, another resident in TPP explained that the fighting began while the Burmese army troops were transferring vehicles from TPP to Anan Kwin village in Kyar Inn Seik Gyi Township, Karen State. These vehicles were carrying military equipment and food supplies to TPP.
In TPP, on January 24th, the MOC conscripted 15 resident’s vehicles to transport military supplies to TPP while, at the same time, demanding 2,200 baht each from each vehicle owner who tried to hide their vehicle before being conscripted.
Junta troops currently patrolling in TPP are under the command of Southeast Military Regional Command based in Moulmein in Mon State. The MOC in Tavoy were deployed to TPP in order to increase junta strength. Currently there are 1,000 Burmese troops in the area in preparation for a military offensive of the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) areas.
Fighting has been off and on between the KNU and junta troops in which the junta has made multiple attempts to seize the area controlled by KNLA Brigade No. 6.
Meanwhile, KNLA Brigade No. 6 has blocked off the main trade route from Thanphyuzayart Township to TPP. The road has been sealed off in order to stop all movement of junta troops and food supplies for the military in TPP.
The KNLA has also prohibited all businesses engaged in mining and logging in its areas of control. These areas are under attack as the burmese military conducts offensives to gain Karen-controlled areas.
TPP’s economy has suffered greatly since DKBA troops seized the town on November 8th, when hundreds of Burmese refugees fled to the Thai border.
TPP residents rely on commodities exported during the current winter and upcoming summer season. Most residents are now buying commodities from Thailand at higher prices.
