PDFs on the Asia Highway
Mizzima
The Black Panther Column People’s Defence force (PDF) announced that it had taken control of the Asia Highway between Myawaddy on the Thai border and Kawkareik, on 10 December.
The Black Panther Column said that the junta had been using that part of the Asian Highway to maintain its power, increase its military strength and cause problems to the public, so it took control of it to keep the public safe and to maintain peace and security in the region.
One of the commanders of the Black Panther Column said: “The fighting began on 1 December. Our Black Panther Column was under Commander General Darbaw. We launched an operation against the Nyinaung police station. The Kawkareik area was also closed by the junta on 2 December. At that time, our troops also closed the Myawaddy to Kawkareik section of Asia Highway.”
He explained: “We took over and closed the road because it was reportedly being used by Military Council soldiers to bolster their armed forces. We have carefully checked the villagers from nearby and released them.”
Junta army camps, police stations and departments along the Myawaddy to Kawkareik road section of the Asia Highway have been under attack by resistance forces since 1 December. Two junta camps in Kawkareik township have also been seized by resistance forces.
On the 6 and 7 of December, Myawaddy District Police Office and Myawaddy Township Township Police Station were bombed by resistance forces drones, resulting in casualties.
As a result of the fighting, more than 40,000 civilians have fled their homes in Kawkareik District, and more than 20 civilians have been killed, according to local charity groups.
