Myanmar rebels refuse to reopen highway to Thailand
Oct 06, 2024
Naypyidaw [Myanmar], October 6: According to The Irrawaddy (Myanmar) news site on October 4, leaders of the Karen National Union (KNU) and other Karen ethnic armed groups , including several groups allied with the Myanmar military government , met in late September to discuss reopening the Asian Highway.
Both the Myanmar and Thai governments have requested that the road be reopened to facilitate traffic.
The Asian Highway connects Myawaddy, located opposite Mae Sot district in Thailand's Tak province, with Tamu town in Sagaing region on the Myanmar-India border.
The road from Kawkareik town to Myawaddy in Myanmar's Karen state has been blocked to traffic since the KNU and its allies attacked Kawkareik in December 2023.
Myanmar's military government has reportedly called on its allies to negotiate with the KNU to reopen the road.
However, a source confirmed to The Irrawaddy that the KNU's 6th Brigade, which attended the meeting in September, refused to reopen the highway over concerns that the Myanmar military government could use the road to advance towards Myawaddy.
Fighting was reported on the Asian Highway in late September with remaining soldiers from Myanmar's military government, according to rebel groups.
Source: Thanh Nien Newspaper
