55th Division Damaged in Southern Myawaddy Withdrawn, Offensive Intensified with New Columns

The 55th Division of the State Administration Council's military, which suffered casualties in battles around Phlu and Min Let Pan villages in southern Myawaddy, Karen State, has been withdrawn from the front lines, and new columns including the 22nd Division and the No. 13 Military Operations Command (SAC-13) are continuing their offensive, according to local sources and resistance forces. The 55th Division columns, which were responsible for the Phlu and Min Let Pan village areas under the command of the Myawaddy-based No. 275 Infantry Battalion, were ordered to withdraw in rotation on July 20. Local residents reported that on the morning of July 21, these troops were transported in nearly 20 military vehicles and retreated towards Hpa-an city along the Asia Highway. Although the 55th Division is a unit that has suffered losses and retreated from the battlefield, it has been featured in the SAC's propaganda newspapers under the headline, "Honorable Welcome for Good Soldiers Returning from the Front Lines Who Performed Operational Duties at the Local Regiment in Hpa-an Township." A KNLA military source told the Irrawaddy Times, "Until around July 15, the 55th Division columns suffered significant losses, injuries, and disarray. That's why Myawaddy 275 was ordered to retreat towards Hpa-an. A new column has been formed and is advancing towards Min Let Pan, and fighting is occurring in two locations." Furthermore, it was learned from local social welfare organizations that on July 18, a military vehicle from the 22nd Division convoy, which had arrived for troop rotation, overturned at the Kuntithaw curve on the Asia Highway, resulting in the deaths of two soldiers and injuries to approximately 10 others. Currently, battles are intensifying again in the Phlu and Min Let Pan village areas of KNU Brigade 6's territory in Myawaddy Township. The military is deploying thousands of troops and conducting continuous aerial bombardments. Similarly, in the Farpun-Katyi area of Brigade 5's territory, the military has been launching an offensive with a large number of troops since May to control the territory, and fighting between both sides continues to be fierce on the Karen front. Photo caption: SAC military personnel from the 55th Division returning to Hpa-an city, Karen State.