The junta commission has been carrying out mortar shelling and airstrikes in southern Myawaddy, particularly around Lay Kay Kaw town, according to resistance sources on the ground.
Troops from Light Infantry Battalion (LIB) 275 based in Myawaddy, and Infantry Battalions 355 and 356 based in “Thin Gan Nyi Naung”, have been conducting attacks since regaining control of the Asia Highway. A resistance fighter said the junta is now targeting southern areas with both artillery and air power.
“We don’t know which town they’re mainly targeting. They’re just shelling randomly. Over the past few days, Lay Kay Kaw has been hit repeatedly. Meanwhile, ground columns continue pushing toward other villages,” the fighter told IMNA.
Local sources confirmed that the junta commission recently dropped 500-pound bombs near Yathe Gu village and used a Kamikaze drone to strike Lay Kay Kaw hospital. On September 7, troops from LIB 275 also fired mortars toward the foothills of Lekkhat Mountain, south of Myawaddy.
Because of the ongoing attacks, more than a hundred residents from Lay Kay Kaw, Mehtawthalay, Inngyinmyaing, Hpalu, Hteemeiwahkhee, Beiheekalaw, Yathe Gu, and Minletpan villages have fled their homes.
“Junta commission troops are already re-entering Myawaddy town itself. They’ve set up posts inside and blocked off the streets near their positions,” said another local source.
Meanwhile, the Border Guard Force (BGF) and Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA) are controlling surrounding villages along the main roads, establishing checkpoints and bases.
Resistance groups believe that after reclaiming control of the Asia Highway, the junta commission is now moving to reassert control over Myawaddy and the entire southern region.
