Myanmar Junta’s 'Living Fence' Crumbles on Thai Border

[geovalin]

KNU

 

A key Myanmar junta outpost along the Thai border, once hailed as an unbreakable defensive stronghold, has fallen to Karen resistance forces—forcing around 100 regime soldiers to flee into Thailand.

 

The Ukayit Hta outpost in Myawaddy Township, Karen State, collapsed on Saturday after being surrounded for over a month by a coalition of the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA), People’s Defense Force (PDF), and allied resistance fighters.

 

Dubbed the “Living Fence” after a 2024 junta propaganda film celebrating its defiance, the base instead fell without a final stand. Its defenders reportedly crossed the border into Thailand’s Tak Province in retreat, according to Khaosod English.

 

“This outpost was critical to the junta’s grip on the Wawlay area,” said one resistance fighter involved in the operation. The fall, he added, has left just two regime positions in the area — Wawlay Strategic Outpost and Hte Thelei Guard Outpost — both now under siege.

 

Cobra Column, one of the resistance units involved, said they seized weapons including 60mm mortars and large stores of ammunition. The loss significantly weakens the regime’s logistics in the region, as the three outposts had been interdependent for resupply and reinforcement.

 

Swe Taw, a former junta major who joined the Civil Disobedience Movement, called the defeat “deeply humiliating” for the military. “This was once a symbol of strength. Now they call it the ‘Lifeless Fence,’” he said.

 

The fall follows weeks of coordinated resistance gains in the Wawlay border zone, with the capture of several other positions in May and June, including Thaybawboe and Maw Khee.

 

By Sunday, resistance forces were launching fresh attacks on the two remaining junta outposts in the area, prompting the regime to respond with airstrikes.

 

The collapse of the so-called Living Fence marks yet another blow to Myanmar’s military, already overstretched on multiple fronts and facing growing desertions. Its fall is not just strategic—but deeply symbolic.

 

-2025-07-15

[FlorC]

On 7/15/2025 at 9:19 AM, geovalin said:

forcing around 100 regime soldiers to flee into Thailand.

Thailand should not allow them in.

[ujayujay]

Why does Thailand allow foreign troops to cross the border in this case?

[Burma Bill]

4 hours ago, FlorC said:

Thailand should not allow them in.

 

I totally agree. 

They should be arrested and immediately deported back to Burma, just like the innocent Burmese civilians trying to escape the atrocities committed by the Tatmadaw!

[FlorC]

58 minutes ago, Burma Bill said:

 

I totally agree. 

They should be arrested and immediately deported back to Burma, just like the innocent Burmese civilians trying to escape the atrocities committed by the Tatmadaw!

sarcasm ?