After a week of relative peace, clashes between the Myanmar regime and armed ethnic groups have erupted once more close to a crucial trading hub near Thailand’s border, according to a spokesman for one of the armed groups and the Thai army on Saturday.
Since a military coup in 2021 overthrew a democratically elected government, Myanmar has been embroiled in turmoil.
Earlier this month, there was intense fighting near the major trading hub of Myanmar, Myawaddy, forcing the military to evacuate its positions in the town.
Nonetheless, residents of the neighborhood reported hearing no fighting throughout the previous week, and on Friday a regional bloc expressed “deep concern” over the current state of affairs.
According to the Karen National Union (KNU), an anti-junta organization, some soldiers had sought refuge under a bridge that connected Myadwaddy to the Thai town of Mae Sot during the earlier fighting.
Speaking to AFP, KNU spokesman Padoh Saw Taw Nee stated that the organization was engaged in combat with the junta in Myawaddy, but he provided no other information.
A Thai army unit positioned on the border reported early on Saturday morning that fighting was still going on with a group that was aiming for the junta soldiers beneath the bridge.
“Currently in the middle of fighting, no losses known,” the Rajamnu Special Task Force posted on Facebook.
According to the report, forces used “drones” to attack soldiers beneath the Second Friendship Bridge, which is a vital trading route for the financially beleaguered Myanmar military.
Along with confirming that the bridge was closed, the Thai task force stated that its soldiers were prepared.
Following reports of skirmishes on Friday night, Thai Foreign Minister Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara announced via tweet that they were actively watching the situation.
The junta, which has recently seen a number of setbacks, was dealt a serious blow when it decided to remove troops from positions in the trading town.
In the 12 months leading up to April, trade through Myawaddy was valued at over $1.1 billion, making it a strategically significant location for the military.
An unidentified truck driver from Myawaddy told AFP they had overheard fighting.
“There is fighting outside the town, not within it. As of right now, we haven’t heard anything,” they stated.
Videos of what appeared to be a large line of individuals waiting to enter Thailand were released by local Thai media early on Saturday morning.
