Following a month of offensive operations by the junta against its former Let Khat Taung Hill Base in Myawaddy Township, Kayin State, it is preparing reinforcements for a further attack on the base.

The junta forces attacking the base are currently receiving daily reinforcements and stockpiles of ammunition, which has caused nearby residents to flee the area, according to Myawaddy residents.

The pro-junta Border Guard Force (BGF) militia in Myittarlinmyaing Village has also been preparing to deploy heavy weaponry to attack the base.

Let Khat Taung Hill Base was originally a strategically important base for the junta, but on 21 July it was seized by joint forces from the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA), the armed wing of the Karen National Union (KNU), and local people’s defence force (PDF) fighters. Since then, junta forces have launched at least 10 attacks on the base in an attempt to seize it back from the defence forces.

The KNU spokesperson Pado Saw Ka Lel Say told Mizzima that the junta is trying to retake the base because it is an important source of income for the military junta and important for trade.

He said: “Let Khat Taung base is their stronghold. It is an important location for the junta. Additionally, Let Khet Taung base's proximity to Myawaddy makes it a strategic hub for trade. This positions the Myawaddy trade route as a pivotal component of the junta's revenue flow. In essence, they recognize the significance of this route and the base.”

On 17 August the junta launched a heavy offensive against Let Khat Taung Base. That resulted in 15 junta soldiers being killed and a further 21 being injured, whilst the forces defending the base suffered two fatalities and five injuries, according to the KNU.

Kyaw Zaw, a spokesperson of the shadow National Unity Government’s (NUG) President’s Office said: “Let Khat Taung is a junta army stronghold located in a commercially important place in Myawaddy, Karen State. The junta troops withdrew from the base with heavy casualties due to the attacks of the revolutionary forces including Karen ethnic revolutionary organisations. In order to get it back, the junta troops have been fighting for almost a month. I think it's been 27 days.”

He said that despite launching many airstrikes the junta forces have been unable to take back the base.

Praising the KNU’s defence of the base he said: “As the most experienced and enduring revolutionary force in Myanmar's history, the KNU focuses its attacks on strategically vital targets, prompting the junta to make vigorous efforts to recapture the Let Khat Taung Base, even at the expense of involving the BGF.”

In response to the fighting at Let Khat Taung Base the Thai authorities have reinforced their forces on the border, according to the KNU.