Revolutionary forces and the junta are trying to control Moebye Township located on the border of Karenni and Shan States as it is important for military and trade of both sides.
“We must fight to take control of Moebye. We will do it any way we can,” said an in-charge of the Buffalo Horn Division of the Mobye People’s Defense Force.
Moebye is located in Shan State. It is a trade route for Demoso and Loikaw Townships in Karenni State as it is located about 65 miles from Nay Pyi Taw which is the headquarters of the military council. It is of military importance to both sides.
The revolutionary forces are trying to fully control Moebye as the military council is carrying out the reinforcement of troops and the supply of weapons and ammunition by using Moebye road, the in-charge added.
“Moebye is located between Loikaw and Pekon. It is also a trade route and serves as the union road. It is a major trade route in the western part and Demoso. The shutdown of this route shall make Demoso more difficult. I think the military council aims to mainly block trade and ration routes. That’s why the military council is still trying to do it,” he said.
The military council is trying to control Moebye to cut off food supplies to the revolutionary forces and the IDPs. Currently, there are more than three military columns of the military council in Moebye. At least 80 soldiers are active in one column, the in-charge continued.
These columns are the Moebye-based battalion (LID-422), Pa-O National Organization (Pa-O people’s militia) and the battalions under Division-66, the in-charge said.
There has been frequent fighting between the military council and the defense forces as the military council often tries to control areas following the coup, residents said.
“The military council has reinforced troops as it worries that the town is very close to Nay Pyi Taw. The military must fight to regain the place. The army shall fight the PDF and the public,” said Colonel Phone Naing, military chief of the Karenni Army (KA).
In the last week of May, the junta’s battalions carried out artillery shelling into the wards in Mobye almost every day. It resulted in civilian casualties.
Most of the residents have fled for safety. There are the people left stranded in the battles. Some residents are taking shelter at nearby monasteries and houses, a Moebye resident said.
“Residents have fled for safety. Fighting always takes place in Moebye. However, this time, it is more severe,” a resident said.
Currently, junta soldiers are stationed on the Settawyar Mountain, Nyaungwaing, Sikar Ward-2 and Warisuply in Moebye Township. Defense forces have warned the public to take special care of their own security as fighting may occur at any time due to mounting tension.
Sent by Kantarawaddy Times