Tatmadaw reopens Kyondoe-Kawkareik Highway after clearing KNU, KNLA, and PDF forces

KAWKAREIK is located on the Asian Highway and is a major junction to Myawady, Hpa-an, Mawlamyine, and Kyain-Seikkyi.

 

To control Kawkareik and the Hpa-an-Kawkareik– Myawady Asian Highway, and to stop the flow of border goods and government administrative machinery, the KNU, KNLA, and PDF terrorist allied groups have, since early April 2024, launched a full-scale operation to seize Ka­wkareik and nearby local military headquarters. They advanced along the old Kawkareik-Thingan Nyinaung road from the north through Kaunghmu, Yankok, and Kyaungshagon villages, as well as from the south via Lan­pha-Asun-Tamainggon, using two columns to enter the town. Furthermore, due to attacks with heavy weapons from afar, offices and departmental buildings, as well as residential houses, were burned and destroyed. Conse­quently, the ethnic residents were forced to abandon their homes, buildings, and belong­ings and temporarily relocate to safer areas.

 

As Tatmadaw columns launched counterattacks to pro­tect Kawkareik town and local military headquarters not to falling into enemy hands, fight­ing occurred from 19 to 22 April. Those terrorists suffered heavy casualties and retreated in dis­order.

 

Starting from 13 April 2025, KNU and KNLA terror­ists have entered along five routes to fully seize control of the Hpa-an-Kyondoe-Kawka­reik-Myawady Asian Highway as well as Kyondoe and Kawka­reik towns. They use five routes: the Aukbote-Yankok-Kawkareik route, the Aukbote-Myapa­daing-Ohntabin-Ingyi-Kyondoe route, the Mikalon-Naung­taman-Tawale-Nachangon-Kyon­doe route, the South Kyain-North Kyain-Koetaing-Ngataing-Lay­taing route, and the Saka­wak-Aunghlaing-Tamaing­gon-Kawkareik route. They blocked the Kyondoe–Kawka­reik–Myawady Asian Highway and launched intense attacks on Kyondoe and Kawkareik towns. Due to these blockades and at­tacks, the flow of goods in the re­gion came to a halt. Ethnic people in the area faced soaring prices and encountered significant dif­ficulties in daily living, resulting in a decline in socioeconomic development.

 

Starting from 13 April, Tat­madaw members fought terror­ists in seven major clashes and 85 engagements. During the pe­riod, some leaders of the enemy sustained serious injuries. Tat­madaw seized 17 dead bodies of enemies, 30 assorted arms and related accessories. Some Tat­madaw members were wounded and killed, but on 24 July, Tatmad­aw regained full control and re­opened the Kyondoe–Kawkareik route, successfully thwarting the enemy’s military objectives.

 

Tatmadaw columns are working to ensure that residents, travellers, cargo vehicles, and passenger vehicles can safely and normally travel along the entire highway again. They are repairing roads and bridges dam­aged by terrorists, conducting mine clearance operations, and managing the swift clearance of remaining road sections to fully reopen the Asian Highway from Myawady. The second phase of reconstruction in Kyondoe and Kawkareik towns, as well as sur­rounding villages, will continue alongside efforts to uphold the rule of law, maintain regional sta­bility, and strengthen territorial control. — MNA/TTA