The Myanmar military blamed the Karen National Union (KNU), the Committee Representing Pyidaungsu Hluttaw (CRPH), the National Unity Government (NUG), the People’s Defence Force (PDF), and independent media, for attempting to “sabotage” the Myanmar-Thailand bilateral relationship.
“Terrorist groups have been carrying out terrorist attacks in border areas that harm people on both sides, engaging in illegal activities and spreading rumors through various online media channels to mislead the public,” the regime’s Ministry of Information (MOI) published on Nov. 3.
This response from the regime in Naypyidaw follows Bangkok’s warning on Nov. 2 for the Myanmar military “to exercise caution” during its operations along the 1,501 mile (2,416 km) long shared border.
An unknown number of buildings in Thailand’s Mae Hong Son Province were damaged during airstrikes carried out by the Myanmar Air Force on a KNU base in Karen State’s Hpapun Township on Oct. 31. No casualties were reported on either side of the border.
But the KNU claimed that it had killed over 200 regime troops and wounded 230 others during fighting in Hpapun, located 110 miles (177 km) north of the Karen State capital Hpa-An in KNU Brigade 5.
The town was seized by the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) in March 2024. But the KNU told DVB that regime forces launched its counteroffensive on May 5 with nearly 2,000 troops.
Saw Htoo Robin, the KNU spokesperson for Brigade 5, told DVB that fighting between the KNLA and regime forces has intensified in Sinswel village, 20 miles (32 km) south of Hpapun, since October. No KNLA casualty figures have been released.
The KNU added that at least seven civilians have been killed, 47 have been injured, and over 54,000 residents across 67 villages in Hpapun have been displaced from their homes due to regime airstrikes and attacks since May.
A military analyst in Karen State told DVB on the condition of anonymity that regime forces have “low morale.” He added that this is indicated by its targeted attacks on civilian areas.
Relations between the KNU and Thai authorities “remain close” and “respect each other,” according to KNU spokesperson Saw Kler Say.
Besides Hpapun, regime forces are also fighting the KNLA over control of Minletpan village in Karen State’s Myawaddy Township, which is located along the Myanmar-Thai border 81-187 miles (130-301 km) east and south of Hpa-An and Hpapun.
