The Karen National Defense Organization (KNDO) and allied forces seized a large quantity of arms and ammunition and discovered over eight bodies of junta soldiers during the battle to capture the junta’s Mutel camp in Kyaukkyi Township, located in Nyaunglebin District of Bago Region, which is part of the Karen National Union (KNU)’s Brigade-3 territory, according to the KNU’s Brigade-3.
On 31 December 2024, the KNDO and allied forces launched an offensive against the Mutel camp located along the Kyaukkyi-Mutel road, a key logistics route for the junta. The forces successfully captured the camp on 3 January 2025, and subsequently conducted an area clearance operation.
During the area clearance operation, approximately 26 types of weapons, including the MA 3, were seized from the military council. Additionally, four bodies of junta soldiers were recovered from the camp, and another four were found nearby, according to Padoh Saw War Mu, spokesperson for the KNU’s Brigade-3 in Kyaukkyi Township.
Padoh Saw War Mu said, “This camp is of significant importance as it serves as a crucial logistics route. The route connects Kyaukkyi to Brigade-5. We have not yet received an official list of casualties from the military council following the loss of their camp. However, we did recover four bodies inside the camp, and another four or five bodies were found along the road during the area clearance operation.”
Around 40 junta soldiers who retreated from the Mutel camp have relocated to another camp in Kyaukkyi Township. Additionally, a military column dispatched to reinforce the Mutel camp has arrived at Saw Mee Lu village, where it is currently stationed, according to the KNU’s Brigade-3.
Following the capture of the camp, the junta has escalated airstrikes and shelling. As a result, villagers in the surrounding areas have been forced to flee their homes, and their education has been severely disrupted, according to the KNU and local residents from Kyaukkyi Township.
“Since the military council launched its offensive against the hilltop camp on 31 December, they have been conducting airstrikes and heavy shelling. To this day, the people are too afraid to stay in the village and are hiding in the forests. Students are forced to study in the forests, and as a result, they are facing severe challenges in terms of food, shelter, and healthcare,” said Padoh Saw War Mu.
Since 2022, the conflict in Nyaunglebin District has escalated, making it one of the areas most heavily impacted by the junta’s shelling. It has also seen the highest number of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the region.
At the start of 2025, at least five local residents were injured or killed by the junta’s shelling in Kyaukkyi and Mone Townships, according to statements from the KNU (Central).
Fighting has been ongoing since before the military coup, primarily due to the military council’s expansion of roads. Following the capture of the Mutel camp along the Kyaukkyi-Mutel road, where fighting erupted after the KNLA imposed a ban on using the road for transporting military rations and troops, there are still three army camps remaining to be cleared, according to local sources.
Sent by KIC
