Junta Launches Offensive to Retake Strategic Village in Kawkareik, Sparking Heavy Clashes
Fierce fighting has erupted in Karen State as a resistance coalition led by the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) resists a military junta offensive to recapture Kwimaungtaing Village, a strategic position located north of Kawkareik Town.
Resistance forces under the KNLA and its allies had previously driven regime troops out of Kwimaungtaing and secured the village on September 25.
In response, junta forces under Military Operations Command 12 (MOC 12) launched a counter-offensive on September 29 to retake the position, utilizing ground troops, artillery bombardment, airstrikes, and drone attacks.
“They have been dropping heavy bombs from drones on Kwimaungtaing for three days,” a KNLA source told KIC. “The junta is using artillery and airstrikes to back their ground troops in trying to reclaim the village, leading to intense ground clashes.”
Prior to the ground push, the junta conducted artillery shelling and aerial reconnaissance across several surrounding villages, including Weikzarkone, Naungtalar, Taungkyarinn, Laungkaing, Hparkya, and Thameindut.
Simultaneously, junta columns stationed in Kawkareik and Kyondoe have attempted to advance toward Myaukkyarinn Village.
In response to the movement, KNLA-led forces launched retaliatory drone and rocket strikes against several auxiliary battalions under MOC 12 during the final week of September, inflicting casualties on regime forces.
Military analysts note that Kwimaungtaing is a critical tactical position, as resistance control over the village directly threatens the rear security and operational lines of MOC 12 headquarters in Kawkareik.
