By Alperen Aktas
ISTANBUL (AA) - Armed ethnic rebels from the Karen minority in Myanmar claimed Thursday to have captured the last military outpost in Myawaddy on the western border of Thailand.
The Karen National Union (KNU), a pro-democracy armed group, said in a Facebook statement that with the seizure of Garrison Battalion 275, all military posts in the district were under control.
The statement indicated that 275 soldiers had defected and images of alleged captured weapons were released after the soldiers left.
It noted that resistance groups would track down defecting soldiers and urged residents not to be afraid and to cooperate.
In a separate statement, it noted that defecting soldiers intended to seek refuge in Thailand.
Myanmar’s army overthrew the democratically elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi in February 2021 and seized power in a military coup.
The country fell into deep social, political and economic turmoil as the army conducted brutal campaigns against perceived opponents.
Since October 2023, fighting between the military and armed opposition groups has intensified and spread to most of Myanmar.
More than 2.8 million people in the war-torn country are displaced, while at least 18 million people require humanitarian aid, according to UN agencies.