Junta retakes key Shan State town, launches clearance operations along Karenni border

Myanmar’s military junta regained control of the strategic town of Moebye in southern Shan State on Monday, tightening its grip on a vital gateway into Karenni State and launching clearance operations to prevent resistance forces from regrouping, resistance sources say. 

State-run newspaper Myanma Alin confirmed the seizure of Moebye on Monday, reporting that junta forces are now flowing along the Moebye-Loikaw road to secure supply lines and deter potential counterattacks by resistance fighters.

Moebye, which lies along the road connecting Shan State to the Karenni capital of Loikaw, had been under control of anti-junta fighters for months. Its recapture follows the junta’s assault on Loikaw in June last year, where junta forces ousted Karenni resistance groups after weeks of heavy fighting.