People’s Defence Force kills ‘dozens’ of regime troops in Tanintharyi Region

The People’s Defence Force (PDF) in Tanintharyi Region’s Myeik District told DVB that resistance forces have killed “dozens” of regime troops during fighting in Launglon, Thayetchaung, Yebyu, Tanintharyi and Palaw towns, located 12-98 miles (19-157 km) south of the Tanintharyi Region capital Dawei, since February.

The PDF member did not disclose the number of resistance members killed. But he told DVB on the condition of anonymity that the Myanmar Air Force carried out retaliatory airstrikes against its positions to allow regime forces to advance into all five towns. He added that over 1,000 regime troops were involved in the attack.

Thayetchaung residents told DVB that at least 10 civilians have been killed and seven others have been injured during fighting between the PDF and regime forces since February. At least 10 villages in Thayetchaung were hit by airstrikes over the course of 12 days last month, according to DVB data.

The PDF in Myeik District told DVB that a column with over 300 regime troops has been carrying out attacks on PDF positions in Palaw since February. Myeik is 40 miles (64 km) west of Mawtaung and 152 miles (244 km) north of Dawei.

A military counteroffensive to retake control of Mawtaung, located along the Myanmar–Thailand border 248 miles (399 km) southeast of Dawei, was launched on Nov. 15 after the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) seized control of it the previous day, on Nov. 14.

Eh Nar, the Karen National Union (KNU) secretary for the districts of Myeik and Dawei, declined a DVB request for an interview, citing “military confidentiality.”

The Myeik-Mawtaung border trade route used for transporting goods from Myanmar into Thailand was closed on an unspecified date, according to residents.

The Mawtaung border gate was opened by the previous regime in Naypyidaw to improve trade with Thailand in May 2013. The FE5 Tanintharyi news agency reported on Feb. 20 that around 85,000 residents have been displaced in Tanintharyi Region since January.