The situation in Myawaddy, a town on the eastern border of Burma, has been tumultuous as guerrilla fighters from the main ethnic Karen fighting force have withdrawn from the town after initially capturing it from the military government. This withdrawal came following assistance from a contending armed Karen group that claimed responsibility for the town’s security. The armed wing of the Karen National Union captured the army’s Infantry Battalion 275, forcing soldiers to flee to a riverside spot near a bridge connecting Myawaddy to Thailand’s Mae Sot district.
The conflict in Burma began after the military ousted the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi in February 2021, sparking widespread nonviolent protests. Despite the army’s advantage in arms and manpower, they have been on the defensive since an offensive by ethnic rebel groups last October. Resistance forces have captured territory in various regions, including northern Shan state and Rakhine state, continuing to pressure the army. The soldiers near the Thai-Myanmar Friendship Bridge received protection from the Kayin state’s Border Guard Force, which had cut ties with the military and established itself as the Karen National Army.
Photos and video clips of soldiers raising Burma’s national flag at the abandoned Infantry Battalion 275 base were circulated on social media, signaling a symbolic takeover of the base by the military government. The KNU, anticipating a counterattack, has withdrawn its forces temporarily from Myawaddy to keep them mobile and ensure their readiness for defense. The Border Guard Force in Myawaddy has taken a significant role in handling security measures in the town, working with different Karen organizations to assist fleeing soldiers and residents affected by the conflict.
Last Friday, the Karen guerrillas launched an attack against soldiers hiding near the bridge, with the military responding with airstrikes that forced thousands of residents to seek shelter in Thailand. The ongoing conflict in Burma highlights the complexities of the situation, with different ethnic groups and armed organizations involved in resistance against the military government. The withdrawal of guerrilla fighters from Myawaddy raises questions about the shifting dynamics of power and control in the region, as armed groups maneuver to protect their interests and territories. The future of the conflict remains uncertain, as both sides continue to engage in military actions and strategic maneuvers.
