Intense overnight fighting between KNU/KNLA-PDF and the military in Myawaddy Township on the Thai-Myanmar border, with bullets reaching Thai side, prompting Thai army to increase border security

Yangon, July 8 In the Myanmar-Thai border region across the river from Myawaddy city in Karen State, joint forces of the KNU/KNLA and PDF engaged in fierce fighting with the military, and as bullets landed on the Thai side, the Thai army has further reinforced its troops and will respond if necessary, according to Thai news reports. As of the morning of July 8, it was learned that joint forces of KNLA units under the KNU and PDF had launched an offensive against a crucial military council camp near Min Lpannt village, close to Myawaddy city, and intense fighting had been occurring between both sides all night. During the fighting, there was an exchange of fire using small arms, machine guns, 60mm mortars, .50 caliber machine guns, and 60mm and 81mm mortars, with the sounds of gunfire being clearly heard up to Huai Maha Wong village in Mae Sot district, Tak province, on the Thai side of the border. "We could hear gunshots from Mae Sot. We could hear the booming sounds of heavy artillery. Even in Mae Sot, houses on the embankment were shaking from the sounds of heavy artillery," explained a military source on the Thai-Myanmar border. Furthermore, Thai authorities announced that machine gun bullets fired during the fighting penetrated three houses on the Thai side, and another mortar shell exploded within the compound of a former village administrator's house. Due to the fighting, Thai residents living near the border had to take shelter and stay indoors all night. Currently, the Ratchamanu Special Force under the command of the Thai Army's Naresuan Military Circle has further reinforced troops in villages along the border that could be at risk, and it is understood that they will carry out phased warnings and responses if further shelling from Myanmar territory lands within Thai territory. In addition, Thai news reports indicate that military vehicles equipped with .50 caliber machine guns and military personnel have been deployed to the border area and are closely monitoring the situation.