KAREN STATE – The Karen National Union (KNU) Central announced that the terrorist junta council torched the houses in Kawkareik Town and the junta drone attacks destroyed numerous houses in the town.
As the residents of Kawkareik had to leave their homes due to the ongoing clashes, the infantry battalions 97, 343, 548 and light infantry battalions 207, 201, 203 of the terrorist junta council based in the town broke into and stole valuables from the civilian homes, torched and destroyed civilian properties and recklessly fired weapons and carried out drone attacks daily.
Previously on January 21, the terrorist junta forces wildly fired heavy artillery and bombed using drones at the places where they believe the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) and revolutionary joint forces could be stationed and torched and destroyed the houses and shops in the town. As a result of the junta arson and destruction, numerous houses and shops in the town were burned down and destroyed.
The KNU and KNLA led strategic military operations, joined by revolutionary forces, to seize control of the Asia Highway, an especially important route for the administration and military mechanism of the terrorist junta regime. The revolutionary forces are said to be currently continuing with systematic operations to drive out the junta forces from the town, seize control of the entire town and build a proper administration system.
As KNLA carries out urban battles in Kawkareik, KNU has been leading the rescue operations to move the town residents to safety.