Myanmar Military Recaptures Key Thai Border Trade Hub as 4,000 Flee

Regime forces have recaptured the Myanmar-Thai border trade hub of Mawdaung in Tanintharyi Region on Tuesday, local resistance groups have confirmed.

The confirmation follows claims by the regime’s Ministry of Information that the town was retaken in a 15-day counteroffensive backed by artillery and airstrikes that killed at least 24 resistance fighters.

The strategic border town was seized by Karen National Union (KNU)-led resistance forces on November 14 last year.

Padoh Saw Ehna Doh, secretary of KNU-administrated Myeik District, confirmed to The Irrawaddy that they had lost control of the town.

Local media reported that the counteroffensive was launched after a 50-truck convoy of regime reinforcements was dispatched to Thebyu village, located 41km from Mawdaung. Three columns were then deployed to retake the town.

The fighting has forced at least 4,000 residents of Mawdaung and nine surrounding villages to flee their homes, according to volunteers aiding the displaced.

Mawdaung is a key hub for the export of seafood from Myeik on the Andaman coast to Thailand. Opened as an official border trade hub in May 2013, it also receives imported cement, motorcycles, and fruit from Thailand, according to Ministry of Commerce data.

The area housed the KNU’s Myeik District headquarters until being seized by the junta in 1990.

The new regime has escalated offensives against resistance-held territory since General Ye Win Oo took over as commander-in-chief on March 30, allowing coup leader Min Aung Hlaing to be installed as president.

Under General Ye Win Oo’s command, regime troops have retaken at least five towns: Mawdaung in Tanintharyi, Falam and Tonzang in Chin State, and Indaw and Maw Luu in Sagaing Region.