September 10, 2026
Military junta troops conducting offensives south of Myawaddy in Karen State are facing severe interceptions by KNLA allied forces, resulting in heavy casualties throughout August and September. Additionally, a large number of junta soldiers are reportedly fleeing the columns to defect or surrender to the KNLA and its allies.
On September 4, Lieutenant Colonel Saw Da Baw of the KNLA Brigade 6, Battalion 28, met and held a dialogue with 25 junta prisoners of war (POWs) who were captured from frontline clash sites south of Myawaddy. The contents of this dialogue have since gone viral on social media, striking a severe psychological blow to the military junta.
Following this viral event, sources close to the military report that the junta has been sending daily reinforcements of troops and ammunition from the Hpa-An based Light Infantry Division (LID) 22. These reinforcements travel through Kyondoe, Kawkareik, and the new Myawaddy Asia Highway to reach Light Infantry Battalion (LIB) 275 at the entrance of Myawaddy, which oversees operational commands.
“Because Commander Da Baw’s interview was leaked, the military guys are furious. Now, they are sending reinforcements to Myawaddy every day. They come from Hpa-An to Kyondoe, then Kawkareik, Myawaddy, and arrive at LIB 275. After that, the BGF group from the Monsoon Camp forwards them to the Lay Kay Kaw Kwe Kone area. They are also dropping drone bombs and firing heavy artillery every single day,” a source detailed regarding the frontline situation.
During the dialogue with Lt. Col. Saw Da Baw, 7 out of the 25 captured POWs reportedly requested to join the KNLA forces to fight back against the military council columns.
As the junta deploys thousands of troops from LID 22 and 20 battalions for these offensives only to suffer massive casualties Lt. Col. Saw Da Baw emphasized that new junta recruits who defect quickly will find safety and eventually be reunited with their families.
“When reinforcements face us, it is certain that they will not survive by any means. I can boldly guarantee this with my life experience. So, if you want to live, if you want to reunite warmly with your families one day break free. Break free by whatever means necessary. If you make it into the hands of the revolutionary forces, I can boldly guarantee your complete safety,” the Commander stated.
Over the nearly five years of the southern Myawaddy offensive, the military junta has failed to regain security control over its lost bases, territories, and roads. While they heavily rely on airstrikes, heavy artillery, and drones, their ground offensives consistently result in heavy casualties and massive seizures of weapons and ammunition by the KNLA allied forces.
