Burma Army’s road repairs raise many questions

The end of the monsoon season has seen the Burma Army repairing supply roads to their bases in Karen State. This has caused Karen army officers to question the strategy behind the rebuilding of the supply roads when the government is supposed to be withdrawing its troops from the region.

The Burma Army began repairing the transportation road into Thandaung Township, Karen State at the beginning of November.

A Karen National Union officer in its Brigade 2 confirmed with Karen News that the Burma Army’s Infantry Battalion 1, 5, and 35 and Light Infantry Battalion 108 have increased their presence in the region.

“LIB 108 is responsible for the road’s security while the other three Battalions are repairing the road. This is not a sign of (a ceasefire agreed) retreat. They are sending their rations as they did previously.”

The KNU Brigade 2 officer told Karen News that the Burma Army is resupplying instead of preparing for retreat as in the ceasefire agreement between KNU and the government.

The repaired road is 96 kilometers long, and the section between Taungoo-Bawgali-Maungtaikyi is complete.

Local villagers in the region said the Burma Army based in KNU controlled areas in Nyaunglebin and Papun are also repairing supply roads.

The Karen officers question the strategy behind the rebuilding of the supply roads when the government is supposed to be withdrawing troops.