With fighting reported near the Asia Highway in Kayin State’s Myawaddy and Kawkareik townships, the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) has tightened traffic restrictions and monitoring of the highway, according to local sources.

A source close to KNLA Brigade No. 6 told DMG that fighting between the Myanmar military and the KNLA has been taking place since December 25 on the Myawaddy-Kawkareik Asia Highway. The KNLA and its political wing, the Karen National Union (KNU), have tightened their control over traffic along the highway as the Myanmar military has reportedly used civilian vehicles and ambulances to reinforce its troops.

“The military council has suffered heavy casualties in the Lay Kay Kaw battle. The Myanmar military also attempted to send reinforcements to Kawkareik through the Asia Highway by using civilian vehicles and ambulances. So the KNLA [increased scrutiny of] traffic on the Asia Highway,” the source added.

The KNLA has warned civilian vehicles on the Myawaddy-Kawkareik Asia Highway to roll down their windows and submit to security checks. Drivers have also been instructed not to cover truck beds or other parts of their vehicles with tarpaulin, and not to carry any weapons or ammunition.

On December 29, the KNLA said that it had fired warning shots at non-compliant vehicles as they were observed travelling the highway without following its rules.

As a result of the shootings, some bus lines have suspended operations. Many passengers and drivers, meanwhile, are worried about their safety but have no choice but to travel the Myawaddy-Kawkareik Asia Highway, said a bus driver plying a route linking Yangon, Myawaddy and Kawkareik.

“Now that the fighting has intensified, it has become very difficult to get around. The drivers are worried that they will be injured in the fighting. But they [bus drivers] have to drive to earn a living despite many difficulties,” the driver added.

Fighting between the Myanmar military and a joint force of KNLA, People’s Defence Force (PDF) and Democratic Karen Benevolent Army (DKBA) troops has escalated since clashes were first reported in the Lay Kay Kaw border area of Kayin State on December 15.