Clashes occurred between a military column and a joint force of Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) on Myawady-Kawkareik New Asia Highway near Kawtnwe village, Kawkareik Township, Kayin State, and a truck caught fire and burned down on October 25, according to local sources.
Local people said clashes occurred in the afternoon with a truck carrying refrigerators en route from Myawady was seen on fire.
“While fighting was going on with the sound of heavy and small weapons firing, we stopped our cars. The road was also blocked for a few hours. When we heard nothing, we continued our journey. On the route we saw a truck catching fire, said a car driver.
He continued that all traffic has resumed normally since this morning (October 26).
“Today, the situation has returned to normal. We are going down and have almost reached Kawkareik. There are more security forces now on the road,” the driver added.
On October 21 also, fighting occurred in the town of Kawkareik in Kayin State, leaving three civilians dead and 16 others injured. Those injured needing urgent surgery were sent to Hpa-an People’s Hospital, said an official from Pale Phyu social welfare association in Kawkareik.
