Myanmar’s military regime reportedly carried out 125 airstrikes within five days to defend its strategic outpost in Karen State near the Thai border while it was being attacked by resistance forces.
The armed wings of the Karen National Union, the Karen National Liberation Army and the Karen National Defense Organization (KNDO), and other resistance forces assaulted the Ukayit Hta outpost on a strategically important road near Waw Lay in Myawaddy Township on June 26.
Fighting continued for nearly a week. Witnesses said the battle for Ukayit Hta is the fiercest they have seen since last year.
A source said last Tuesday that shells landed every three seconds.
Junta spokesman Major General Zaw Min Tun told a press conference on Friday that the outpost is still in junta control with the support of airstrikes and artillery.
Drone pictures released by the Cobra Column, one of the resistance groups, show heavy destruction at the outpost and the bodies of junta troops on the ground after an attack. The resistance forces have reported casualties because of junta airstrikes and artillery.
Cobra Column said from June 27 to July 1 the junta conducted 125 attacks with YAK jets and a MIG-29 jet. It said the group suffered no casualties in the airstrikes.
It said junta reinforcements were sent 12 times by helicopter from Mawlamyine.
Reinforcements were attacked and a Cobra Column video shows a junta corporal captured by the group saying at least 20 soldiers (of his group) were killed in an attack. The corporal was shown being treated for his injuries.
He said his commander fled during the attack so he ran away and was captured later.
The KNDO said on Thursday it attacked Light Infantry Division 44 reinforcements, killing at least seven soldiers and seizing weapons.
The casualties on both sides are unknown.
More than 300 Waw Lay residents have fled across the Moei River to Thailand.
On Friday and Saturday junta airstrikes killed two civilians and injured seven others, including children, in two Karen villages.
