Junta launches 125 airstrikes in fighting for Ukrihta army base

08 July 2022
Junta launches 125 airstrikes in fighting for Ukrihta army base

The junta launched 125 airstrikes over five days in Wale Myaing Township, in Karen State's Myawaddy District, between 27 June and 1 July, in fighting to take control of the Ukrihta army base.

The junta army base of Ukrihta, in Wale Maing Township, is in an area controlled by the Karen National Union (KNU) Brigade 6.

A combined anti-junta force led by the KNU fought for and took control of the Ukrihta base on the morning of 26 June.

Junta forces then tried to re-take the base and the airstrikes were launched from 27 June as part of that offensive. The fighting for the base continued until 3 July when the guerrilla forces gave up the
base after suffering many airstrikes.

On 27 June four planes carried out eight airstrikes.

On 28 June five fighter jets carried out 15 airstrikes in the area of the base and helicopters were used to bring in troop reinforcements and ammunition.

On 29 June eight junta jets launched 49 airstrikes and helicopters continued to bring reinforcements and ammunition.

On 30 June 22 airstrikes were carried out by four fighter planes before a Mig-29 launched an attack and escaped by crossing the border and illegally going through Thai airspace.

On 1 July six jets launched 31 airstrikes against the guerrilla forces.

Nearly 200 junta troops were killed and many others were injured in the fighting for Ukhrita Base, while 13 KNU soldiers were killed and an unspecified number were injured, according to the KNU.