Joint revolutionary forces capture strategic Win Wa military camp in Tanintharyi Region after month-long siege

Mizzima

Joint revolutionary forces, led by the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) and local People’s Defence Forces (PDF), successfully captured the Win Wa military camp in Thayetchaung Township, Tanintharyi Region, on the afternoon of 11 March.

Situated on the strategic No. 8 Union Highway connecting Myeik and Dawei, the camp had been the site of intense fighting since 7 February, finally falling to the resistance at 4:00 pm despite daily junta airstrikes and naval artillery support from a warship near Kanet Thiri village.

According to the source, throughout the fighting, the junta forces carried out almost daily airstrikes, while a naval warship positioned in the sea near Kanet Thiri village fired artillery in support. Ground reinforcements were also sent in, but the camp ultimately fell to the joint revolutionary forces.

During the battle, the junta also frequently launched airstrikes on villages in the lower part of Thayetchaung Township, including Mindap village near the camp. Airstrikes were reportedly carried out at least twice on the day the camp was captured.

On the morning of 12 March, the junta carried out airstrikes in the area around Gon Nyin Seik village near the Win Wa camp.

“The area around Gon Nyin Seik village near the camp was bombed and machine-gunned at around 10 am,” the source said.

During the battle for the camp, casualties were reported on both sides, including among the junta forces and the joint forces led by the KNLA.

“Regarding security, we still need to remain cautious. However, one thing is certain, we now have full control of that area,” Padoh Saw Eh Na, Secretary of Karen National Union (KNU) for Myeik–Dawei District in the KNLA Brigade 4 area, told Mizzima yesterday evening.

Due to the junta airstrikes and heavy artillery attacks, residents from around 20 villages including Win Wa, Thae Chaung Gyi, Min Dat, Theim Kone, and Son Sin Phyar have been forced to flee their homes.