Seven civilians missing in southern Myawaddy amid intense clashes; families suspect junta execution

Seven civilians have lost contact with their families in southern Myawaddy Township on the Thai-Myanmar border, where intense clashes are raging between Myanmar junta-led allied forces and the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) coalition, according to family members. The missing individuals — all male residents of Wa Mee Hta village, including a tractor owner and driver — departed on 10 July to salvage an overturned vehicle, family members said. The youngest is 14; the oldest is 46. They disappeared near Lail Aw Hka, between Htee Mae Glar and the Karen National Police Force (KNPF) outpost known as Police Hill, which is currently occupied by junta forces, according to relatives. “The poor road conditions frequently cause vehicles to overturn, blocking many cargo trucks returning from Myawaddy. A truck driver, whom we call ‘Dawei,’ sought help after his vehicle overturned. On Saturday (10 July), he hired my brother-in-law for 10,000 Baht (approx. US$299) to tow his truck, and other villagers accompanied them,” a relative of one of the missing persons said. Another relative said enquiries with local sources and junta-linked contacts suggest the missing civilians were detained and executed by troops from Military Operations Command 13 (MOC-13), currently conducting offensives around Lay Kay Kaw, Phalu, and Min Let Pan. Mizzima has not independently verified this claim. “We have only heard reports, but no physical evidence has been found yet,” said a family member of the missing tractor owner. Ground clashes have intensified since 7 July as junta forces, allied with the breakaway Democratic Karen Benevolent Army (DKBA, Bo Bi faction) and the Border Guard Force (BGF), launch offensives to retake KNLA-controlled areas across Phalu and Min Let Pan. The junta is deploying airstrikes and heavy artillery support from Light Infantry Battalion 275 (LIB-275) and other battalions based in the area to support the offensive. The post Seven civilians missing in southern Myawaddy amid intense clashes; families suspect junta execution appeared first on ENG.MIZZIMA.COM.