Spotlight - Why Myawaddy Matters: April 22, 2024

On April 11, 2024, the Karen National Union (KNU) claimed that its army, the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA), and their allies had captured the last of the military junta’s bases in the town of Myawaddy in southeastern Myanmar. Within hours, the KNU took control over Myawaddy, and in the subsequent days, its soldiers fought off the junta’s attempt to retake the town. On April 12, the KNU released its plan to establish a new administrative system for Myawaddy and “achieve meaningful cooperation with the Royal Thai Government” to ensure peace and security along the border, as well as foster cross-border trade. 

The capture of Myawaddy is a significant military achievement for the KNU. The bridge connecting Myawaddy with the town of Mae Sot in Thailand has been one of the most important corridors for trade between the two nations. Control of Myawaddy provides the KNU with control of much of trade with Thailand, as well as a significant source of revenue to continue the war against Myanmar’s military junta. 

By the same token, the loss of Myawaddy is a major economic blow to Myanmar’s military junta. Over the last three years, the military junta has been driven out of other important cross-border trade towns in the states of Chin, Kachin, Kayah (Karenni), Kayin (Karen), Rakhine, and Shan. In addition, the Arakan Army has surrounded Sittwe, the capital city of the state of Rakhine, and the neighboring port city of Kyaukphyu, with plans for seizing control of both towns.

If the Arakan Army is successful, Yangon’s port will be the only major international trade hub still under junta control. This will make it increasingly difficult for the junta to finance and supply its troops with the food, materials, weapons, and ammunition necessary to continue its war effort. 

In brief, the KNU’s capture of Myawaddy was another step in the gradual strangulation of Myanmar’s military junta. 

Michael F. Martin is an adjunct fellow (non-resident) with the Southeast Asia Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, D.C.