The regime is using at least 600 troops in its attempt to retake the section of National Highway 8 linking Mon State’s Ye town to Dawei, the capital of Tanintharyi Region, that was captured by resistance forces in March, according to resistance groups.
They said fierce clashes have broken out for control of the only road linking southern Myanmar’s Tanintharyi Region with the rest of the country since the regime launched an operation to retake the road on Saturday. It is using its navy and air force to support its ground troops.
Resistance groups have been in control of the highway between Ye and Dawei towns since March. They include the Karen National Liberation Army, All Burma Students Democratic Front, and ethnic Mon and other local resistance groups.
Mon State Revolutionary Force spokesman Nai Nagar said: “They have been forced to use water transport since we seized control of the road. They are trying to retake the road because sea transport is not safe or convenient in the rainy season.”
The regime’s military suffered casualties in clashes with resistance troops on the highway near Yarpuu Ywathit and Tharyar Mon villages in Tanintharyi’s Yebyu Township on Saturday and Tuesday, resistance forces said.
On Sunday, resistance forces warned civilians not to travel on the highway between Ye and Dawei, saying the regime was using civilians as human shields and sending reinforcements disguised as civilians.
They said they were also planning counter-attacks in the area.
Captain Kyan Yit, commander of Dawna Column No. 2 of Ye Guerilla Force, said: “The route is crucial for them. We have to cut it off. We are only worried that they will target civilians.”
The junta is already shelling civilians in Tanintharyi from Mawyawaddy naval base. A four-member family in Yarpuu Ywathit village was killed by shelling from the naval base on June 7.
The regime has reportedly sent reinforcements to Ma Hlwe Hill, which overlooks the highway on the border of Mon and Tanintharyi.
It has also sent reinforcements to Kalein Aung town by sea and tightened security there, residents say. Light Infantry Battalions 408, 409 and 410 are based in the town located in Tanintharyi’s Yebyu township.
Anti-regime forces say they control 60 percent of the section of Highway No. 8 between Mon State’s Ye town and Kawthoung town on the southern tip of Myanmar. The junta only controls the highway in and near towns, they said.
Regime forces retook Pedak outpost on the highway between Dawei and Myeik towns in the third week of May. The outpost is strategically important for trade and military operations.
