Key Trade Routes Reclaimed; Illegal Online Scam Compounds Demolished in Kayin State

By the Editorial Team · Friday, September 11, 2026

Armed insurgent groups launched coordinated attacks in Kayin State from March 2024 to seize border trade routes for cyber-fraud operations, causing widespread disruption and damage to critical infrastructure. Myanmar’s military regained control by mid-2025, dismantled major scam hubs through extensive security operations into 2026, and rebuilt key transport links to restore regional stability and prevent the resurgence of illicit networks.

Armed groups including factions of the Karen National Union (KNU), Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA), Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA), and People’s Defense Forces (PDFs) initiated coordinated attacks from March 2024 along the Myawady-Thingannyinaung-Kawkareik Asian Highway in Kayin State. Their objective was to gain control over key border trade routes to facilitate illicit cyber-fraud and gambling operations.

Over a 28-day period, these insurgents targeted local battalion headquarters and government buildings in Thingannyinaung, inflicting extensive damage on departmental offices and residential areas. The offensive forced many residents to flee and disrupted access to vital border trade corridors. The groups further obstructed transit through the Hpa-an-Kyondo-Kawkareik-Myawady economic corridor by taking shelter in rural villages, laying landmines, extorting commercial transport vehicles, and destroying critical infrastructure, including the Nyinya Thalin, Five-Post, and Kawtnwe bridges. These actions caused significant interruptions in the flow of goods, leading to sharp price increases and adversely affecting local livelihoods, while enabling the expansion of cross-border scam networks under armed protection.

In response, Myanmar’s armed forces (Tatmadaw) launched counteroffensives on April 13, 2025, aiming to clear critical transport routes. Over three months, with assistance from the Myanmar Police Force, security forces engaged in 92 separate clashes, neutralizing 17 insurgents, seizing 30 firearms, and regaining control of the Kyondo-Kawkareik section by July 24, 2025. Operations also successfully defended Thingannyinaung from renewed attacks, culminating in the formal reopening of the Myawady-Thingannyinaung-Kawkareik Asian Highway on September 6, 2025.

Following the restoration of road security, joint forces proceeded to dismantle major cybercrime hubs linked to the illicit syndicates. In the KK Park area southeast of Myawady, authorities detained 1,282 undocumented foreign nationals, confiscated scam-related equipment, and demolished 635 illegal structures by January 9, 2026. The detainees were subsequently repatriated via Thailand. Similar campaigns in Shwe Kokko resulted in the apprehension of 2,075 foreign suspects and the complete destruction of 77 illicit operational facilities by July 26, 2026. Security operations between July and August 2026 in Kyauk Khet led to 46 confrontations, the capture of fortified camps and arms caches, including 219 mines and Starlink communication terminals, the seizure of 452 mobile devices, and the detention of 777 individuals.

Simultaneously, military engineering units undertook reconstruction efforts, rebuilding damaged infrastructure such as the 80-foot Kyunkhunnapin Bailey bridge and repairing compromised spans along the Kyondo-Kawkareik-Myawady stretch, thereby fully restoring regional transportation links.

Authorities emphasized that eradicating online scams remains a national priority. They are coordinating closely with neighboring countries to conduct regular security sweeps aimed at preventing the re-establishment of illegal networks in border areas.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.