Phone and internet outages in the surrounding villages are getting worse following intense fighting in Ahnan Kwin strategic camp on Payathonzu-Thanbyuzayat road in Kyainseikgyi Township of Karen State, local residents said.
In mid-August, the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) and allied forces launched an attack on the strategic camp in Ahnan Kwin village and another camp in Lut Shan village, leading to intense fighting.
Locals reported that following the fighting, at least 10 villages, including Ahnan Kwin, Lut Shan, and nearby Phar Yar, Pu Taw, Pan Aung, Khun Na War, and Tanyin, are experiencing phone and internet outages.
A local woman from Ahnan Kwin village said, “The lines have been out of service since tensions escalated. Nearby villages had access to phone and internet, but now all communication lines are cut off. I’m in town and can’t contact anyone in the village.”
Before the intense fighting in the region, there were phone and internet shutdowns, but the situation was not as severe as it is now. There have been complete shutdowns of phone and internet lines following the intense fighting, Ahnan Kwin residents said.
A PDF member said: “The internet in Ahnan Kwin has been down for quite a while. Before the intense fighting, some areas still had access, but now there’s a total shutdown. I’m not certain whether the outages are caused by tower destruction or the junta’s actions.”
He explained that the phone and internet outages are a result of the destruction of mobile towers and the challenges in repairing them due to security concerns.
In an effort to block the flow of information, the military council frequently cuts phone and internet lines, with some areas experiencing outages that have lasted for years.
A woman from Htee Phoe Nai village said, “In our village, the internet has been cut off for years. We used to have access, but now the situation is worse, and we are facing a complete shutdown of internet services.”
According to Athan, a group advocating for freedom of expression, phone and internet services have been disrupted in nearly 80 townships across Myanmar since the coup, continuing through the end of February this year.
Independent Press Council Myanmar (IPCM) issued a statement on 14 September, calling for an end to internet shutdowns in those areas affected by natural disasters as cutting off internet and phone lines prevent those in danger from seeking help, leading to unnecessary loss of life.
Sent by IMNA