Military tensions grow between junta troops and KNU in Mon State’s Thaton District

By DMG 22 Apr 2022

DMG Newsroom
22 April 2022, Thaton, Mon State 

Military tensions are running high between Myanmar’s military and the Karen National Union (KNU) after KNU Brigade 1 based in Mon State’s Thaton District told the regime to withdraw its troop deployments from Bilin Township in Mon State.

KNU Brigade 1 released a statement on Wednesday, asking junta troops to withdraw from Bilin Township by Saturday evening or face attacks.

Locals are concerned about possible clashes as military tensions between the two sides appear to be rising in Bilin Township, said a Bilin resident.

“Military tensions are running high after the KNU released the notice. The regime tightened security checks in and outside Bilin this morning,” he said on Friday.

The KNU has also imposed a nighttime curfew from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. along the road linking Bilin, Thaton and Hpa-an townships, the latter in neighbouring Kayin State.

A source close to KNU Brigade 1 said: “The regime has tightened security checks along the road in response to the KNU notice.”

Myanmar’s military has not yet publically responded to the KNU’s April 20 communique. More than 10,000 local residents have been displaced by fighting in Thaton District since the military coup on February 1, 2021, according to Karen humanitarian groups working in the area.