KAREN STATE – A junta reinforcement convoy of around 30 vehicles including two armoured tanks and over 20 trucks left from Hpaan towards Myawaddy, reported the local people from the areas passed by the convoy.
“The junta convoy went towards Myawaddy via Inddu-Thamanya (road) just now at past 12:30 p.m. Two armoured tanks were in the front. There should be over 20 military trucks and FAW trucks behind them. They are headed towards the Asia Highway so they must be reinforcements for Myawaddy. The military uniforms were crisp new, they might be newly recruited soldiers. The soldiers looked young, they looked really down and their uniforms are very new,” shared a witness.
A local news source reported that Division 55 badges and Division 77 badges were on the trucks and the convoy could be using the Asia Highway, adding that military trucks from Thaton have been arriving in Hpaan one after another.
“The first batch of convoy has left towards Myawaddy. We heard that it headed towards the Asia Highway to Myawaddy. 72 military trucks have entered Hpaan. Only the first batch of convoy had soldiers. The other 72 trucks only had rations and ammunition. The reinforcement convoy might go to Myawaddy even if they all die,” said the local news source.
Junta sources also shared that the junta council plans to use unrestricted air attacks and infantry reinforcement to recapture Myawaddy and also informed that junta soldiers under division 55 based in Kalaw have been sent to Mawlamyaing Airport in Air KBZ planes.
“All ten battalions under Division 55, there should be between 800 and 1,000 (soldiers). They are being transported in Air KBZ flights,” said the junta source.
The junta source explained that the junta council is using the entire division 55 to regain territory in Karen State.