Karen National Liberation Army ‘seizes’ military outpost in Tanintharyi Region

The Karen National Union (KNU) announced on Thursday that resistance forces led by its armed wing, the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) and the allied People’s Defence Force (PDF), seized the regime’s Winwa outpost on Wednesday after four days of fighting in Tanintharyi Region’s Thayetchaung Township.

Eh Nar, the KNU secretary for the districts of Myeik and Dawei, told DVB that Winwa is the sole remaining regime outpost on the 80 mile (128 km) long road connecting Thayetchaung to Palaw Township. “Seizing this outpost means gaining control over this road,” Eh Nar added.

Thayetchaung is located 18 miles (29 km) south of the Tanintharyi Region capital Dawei. The KNU claimed in its March 12 statement that the Winwa outpost had been controlled by the military for over 30 years.

It added that 173 regime troops were killed by KNLA-led resistance forces in Myeik and Dawei townships during 55 clashes in 2025. The number of casualties from the resistance side wasn’t disclosed.

Myeik, 152 miles (244 km) south of Dawei, and Dawei townships are located in KNU Brigade 4 territory.

A PDF source told DVB on the condition of anonymity that fighting continues between resistance and regime forces that came to reinforce the outpost on March 12. No casualties have been reported.

At least 10 civilians have been killed and seven others have been injured during fighting between the PDF and regime forces since February, Thayetchaung residents told DVB.

At least 10 villages in Thayetchaung were hit by airstrikes over the course of 12 days last month, according to DVB data.