Karen National Union fears that junta troops might cross the road to progress along the Myawaddy border area.
PUBLISHED: 5 Oct 2024 at 15: 40
The military could use the year-long closing of the Asian Highway to Myawaddy on the Thai border, according to the principal Karen rebel group, who is fighting the Myanmar government.
According to the Myanmar media website The Irrawaddy, officials of the Karen National Union (KNU) and various ethnic Karen armed groups, some of whom are allies of the military junta, met in late September to discuss reopening the street.
The Thai government and the Myanmar junta have been calling for the path to be reopened in an effort to make transportation easier, according to their claims that this will lower the cost of food and other items for consumers.
The Asian Highway connections Myawaddy, located opposite Mae Sot region in Thailand’s Tak territory, with Tamu in Sagaing area on the Myanmar-India borders.
Since Kawkareik and its supporters attacked the Karen position in December last year, an hour-long stretch has been blocked.
The frontier guard force led by the warrior Saw Chit Thu, among others, has reportedly pressed the government in Nay Pyi Taw to deal with the KNU to resume the street.
The Political Karen Benevolent Army and the Peace Council are different organizations that are allied with the coup. Since the revolution of 2021, both parties have spoken with the plan and are parties to a 2015 stalemate agreement.
KNU Brigade 6, which was present at the September meeting, said a supply told The Irrawaddy that the coup was progress on Myawaddy by using the bridge to impede its progress.
The KNU officers “refused to allow the path to get reopened,” he said.
Opposition parties claim that there had been fighting on the highway with the junta’s remaining soldiers as late as late September.
Civilians and transportation companies are compelled to make detours on different roads that are in bad condition and to levy taxes on several militia groups while doing so.
According to The Irrawaddy, there are at least 40 gates controlled by military organizations along two different routes. Every day, around 1, 000 automobiles travel to and from the frontier, and the fees benefit Karen armed groups.