CNI News

18 February 2025

The Karen National Liberation Army (LNLA)- the People's Defense force (PDF) joint forces that were waging battles against the Myanmar Tatmadaw might be able to reach the Yangon-Mandalay Expressway through the west side of the Sittaung River, spokesperson of the United Nationalities Alliance, U Myo Kyaw told CNI News. 

The joint forces attacked the check-points and outposts of the Myanmar Tatmadaw in Kyaukkyi, Kyauktaga, Phyu and Nyaunglebin Townships at the same time, the Information Department of the Karen National Union (KNU) released on 16th February 2025.

The KNLA-PDF joint forces might be able to reach the Yangon-Mandalay Expressway and if they were able to capture the expressway, they could cut off connections to big cities such as Yangon and Mandalay, said U Myo Kyaw.

While seeing the commander of the Cobra Column fighting against the Myanmar Tatmadaw

" I came to know since before that revolutionary elements are being active around the old Yangon-Mandalay Highway in the west side of the Sittaung River. And then, they might come to the Yangon-Mandalay Expressway. If they were able to capture the expressway, they would be able to cut off connections to big cities such as Yangon and Mandalay. There are often battles in Kyauktaga and Nyaunglebin while there are more severe battles in Kyaukkyi. The revolutionary forces often surround it and firmly deploy themselves in this area. Revolutionary forces are strong there. We heard that they would penetrate into the main land in 2025. They are putting it into practice, I think." said U Myo Kyaw.

According to the statement released by the KNU, revolutionary forces attacked and captured the Naywebin Camp, the camp between Tauweek and Htaintabin Villages and the Kyungone Village Camp under the No. 560 Infantry of the Myanmar Tatmadaw on 15th February 2025.

While seeing the KNLA and its allies

Although the revolutionaries were motivated by the ability to attack small camps, they still needed time to carry out large-scale operations, chairman of the PNLO-NCA/S, Col. Khun Okkar told CNI News.

" When the SAC's ground forces are weak, revolutionary forces will be able to attack and capture small camps of the Myanmar Tatmadaw. It may motivate them. It will take them time to wage large-scale military operations such as Operatgion-1027 or as the AA does." said Col. Khun Okkar.

There are over one million IDPs in Karen and Bago Regions at present and they need humanitarian aids, reported the Karen Peace Support Network (KPSN) on 28th November 2024.

# Col. Khun Okkar #KNLA #PDF # Naypyidaw# Yangon # politics #cnimyanmar