Kantarawaddy Times
In Karenni State’s Shadaw Township (Thai-Karenni border), troops of the Myanmar military’s Battalion 134 retreated from the Mellyu base on December 28. According to Colonel Phoe Naing, the withdrawal followed an attack by the Karenni Army (KA) from 5:00 AM to 7:00 AM on the same day.
“We engaged in fighting between 5:00 and 7:00 in the morning. They couldn’t hold their position and retreated from their base. It’s not that we captured a military base at the border; they withdrew themselves after minor skirmishes. There was minimal resistance from the military during their retreat. We managed to seize some weapons and ammunition, along with a few vehicles and motorbikes,” said Colonel Phoe Naing.
The Mellyu base previously housed approximately 80 junta troops. According to Colonel Phoe Naing, the withdrawal was likely due to supply shortages faced by the military forces.
“They’ve been struggling with food shortages, so that’s probably one of the reasons for their retreat. It also seems that they were ordered to pull out from their superiors,” he added.
During the operation, the Karenni Army captured a large number of weapons and ammunition, along with several vehicles and motorbikes.
The seized items included:
• 60mm mortars: 212 units
• MA-1 magazines: 12 units
• A1 bullets: 5,470 rounds
• Machine-Gun Bullets: 10,228 rounds
• Toby rifles: 14 units
• RPG rounds: 60 units
• Hand grenades: 119 units
• 81mm mortar shells: 33 units
Additionally, the cache contained:
• 14, 16, and 18 series landmines
• Vehicles: 7 four wheel trucks, 3 six-wheeled vehicles, 1 bulldozer
• Motorbikes: 2 units
On December 27 and 28, the Karenni Army launched attacks on the base, with a minor skirmish occurring on the morning of December 28.
The retreating junta troops reportedly withdrew southward through Karenni State into Shan State, according to Colonel Phoe Naing.
