Tatmadaw columns recontrol and reopen Kyondoe-Kawkareik Union Highway blocked by KNU, KNLA and PDF combined terrorist group
Nay Pyi Taw July 24
Located on Hpaan-Myawady road, Kawkareik town in Kawkareik District, Kayin State is an economic hub. The town, which is about 41 miles from Myawady, a town on the Myanmar-Thai border, is also located on the Asian Highway and a transport hub that can travel to Myawady, Hpaan, Mawlamyine and Kyain-Seikkyi.
A combined terrorist group of KNU, KNLA and PDF, with the intention of controlling Kawkareik and Hpaan-Kawkareik-Myawady section of the Asian Highway and halting border trade flow and government machinery, in early April, tried to enter Kawkareik with a large number of gunmen in two files, one from Kaungmhu, Yankok and Kyaungshagon village in the north of Kawkareik along old Kawkareik-Thingannyinaung road and another from Lanpa-Ason-Taminegon in the south to totally seize Kawkareik and local battalion headquarters. Moreover, their heavy weapon fire from afar had burnt down office/department buildings and residences and forced the residents to temporarily flee, leaving behind their property.
In accord with the four oaths, they were residing again and again, members of the Tatmadaw columns bravely fought back the enemy at the risk of their life with firm determination to save the town and local battalions from falling into the hands of terrorist insurgents. The soldiers launched counterstrikes after protecting the town with the defensive operations. During the battle that lasted from 19 to 22 April, terrorist insurgents suffered heavy losses and fled in disarray.
After their withdrawal, KNU and KNLA armed terrorist insurgents instigated local students and youths, who ran away from their native places to Kayin State and areas near border with Thailand due to various reasons including political causes, through political and military incentives, at the places they were residing under the bilateral understanding of the signed NCA, provided them with terrorist training and armed them. KNU and KNLA then formed alliance with the PDF terrorist group, they had raised with the intention of increasing their strength and using the group as their frontline suicide squads. On 13 April 2025, the terrorist insurgents in five files, along Aukbotae-Yankok-Kawkareik route, Aukbotae-Myapadaing,-Ohntabin-Inngyi-Kyondoe route, Mikalon-Naungtaman-Tawalae-Nwachangon-Kyondoeroute,Taungkyainn-Myaukkyainnkoetaing-Ngataing-laytaing route, and Sekkawut-Aunghlaing-Taminegon-Kawkarek route, reentered the area, blocked the Kyondoe-Kawkareik-Myawady Asian Highway and launched violent attacks against Kyondoe and Kawkareik with extreme force with the intention of realizing their military goals again through attempts to completely occupy Hpaan-Kyondoe-Kawkareik-Myawady Asia Highway and Kyondoe and Kawkareik, that were the center points in the border trade route. The blockage and the attacks had halted local trade flow, causing a rise in commodity prices and social hardships for the locals and finally a socio-economic downturn.
Regarding the reopening of routes blocked by the combined terrorist group of KNU, KNLA and PDF, and the resumption of normal vehicular traffic, starting from April 13, 2025, Tat-madaw columns, upholding the Tatmadaw’s noble traditions and unwavering spirit—never lowering the flag, fighting with relentless determination, and advancing one commander after another—launched fierce offensives against the terrorists carrying out destructive operations between Kyondoe and Kawkareik. Over the course of more than three months of military operations, seven major battles and 85 skirmishes took place. Several enemy leaders were severely wounded, and 17 enemy corpses, 30 assorted weapons, and related equipment were seized. Some Tatmadaw personnel were injured or sacrificed their lives. Today, on July 24, the Tatmadaw successfully regained control and reopened the Kyondoe-Kawkareik route, completely crushing the enemy’s military objectives.
As the terrorists fled in disarray, they employed various methods to carry out sabotage, including burning vehicles, blocking roads with felled trees and branches, and demolishing bridges—such as the Nyinyathalin Bridge and the Five-Pole Bridge—between Kyondoe and Kawkareik.
Tatmadaw columns are continuing operations along the route to ensure the safe and normal movement of local residents, travelers, cargo transport vehicles, and passenger vehicles. Repair work is underway on roads and bridges destroyed by the terrorists, along with mine clearance operations. Efforts are also being made to swiftly clear the remaining sections of the road to fully restore normal traffic flow through the Asian Highway via Myawady. Additio-nally, the second phase of reconstruction in Kyondoe and Kawkareik towns, along with surrounding villages, is progressing. Simultaneously, measures to enforce the rule of law, stabilize the region, and establish territorial control are being carried out.