Rebel forces in Myanmar withdrew from the town after the army counterattacked strongly

Spokesman Saw Taw Nee of the Karen National Union (KNU) rebel force in Myanmar said they had “temporarily withdrawn” from the town of Myawaddy, after soldiers from the Myanmar military government returned to the area. This important strategic area, according to Reuters.

“The KNLA will… destroy the military government’s troops and reserve troops that have been sent to Myawaddy,” Mr. Saw Taw Nee emphasized, referring to the KNU’s armed wing, the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA), a one of Myanmar’s oldest ethnic armed groups. However, Mr. Saw Taw Nee did not reveal the next move.

The KNU announced on April 12 that it had captured the town of Myawaddy, but fighting broke out in Myawaddy on April 20 when rebels sought to dislodge a group of government soldiers hiding at a bridge connecting Myanmar with Thailand. Lan. More than 3,000 civilians had to flee the area in just one day.

Shortly thereafter, on April 20, fighter jets and helicopters of the Myanmar army responded by conducting air strikes near the above border bridge, according to NHK.

Today, the Thai side said the fighting has subsided and the country hopes to reopen the border after trade activities were affected by the fighting. The Thai side added that most civilians have returned and 650 people remain, according to Reuters.

“The situation has improved significantly. However, we are closely monitoring the situation, which is very uncertain and subject to change,” Thai Foreign Ministry spokesman Nikorndej Balankura told a meeting. newspaper.

Mr Nikorndej said Thailand had received reports that talks could be started between rival groups on the Myanmar side but did not elaborate. He also said that Thailand had proposed to Laos, currently chairing ASEAN, that it could hold a meeting to find a way to end the crisis in Myanmar.

There is currently no information on the response of the Myanmar military government.