Myawaddy border trade reopens

The Myawaddy trade border was reopened yesterday as the trading had stopped over the previous week due to the continued clashes that occurred between rebels and the military along the Kawkareik–Myawady road on July 5 and 6.

The New Asia Highway has been closed off due to the fights between the Democratic Karen Benevolent Army (DKBA) and the government army column on July 2 near the new Myawaddy-Dawna mountain-range road. In addition, the use of old road was stopped as of July 5. 

Due to the clashes, the public has expressed concerns about spikes in basic commodity prices. 

“ On July 9, passengers’ vehicles and trucks ascended from the old road so also trucks descended on July 10 through the old road. Only passengers’ cars were allowed from the new road. We are very pleased as we came from new road and we arrived within a short time. Moreover, we don’t need to pay tour gate fee,” said an identified driver from Myawaddy.    

The driver added that there was no collection of fees for road use at the new road except the authorities were carrying out tight security at the entrance of the Thingannyi Naung Gate which is a part of Myawaddy and the New Asia Highway.

“ There were clashes and a bomb blast occurred on the New Asia Highway on July 9. Although we are free come to here, we are worried as something might happen. Along the road, we saw the military and the Border Guard Force. The members of Border Guard Force are carrying out tight security,” said one of the passengers who went to Mawlamyaing from Myawaddy.

Although all trucks are regularly allowed to pass through the old road of Myawaddy Dawna mountain range, small vehicles carrying products weren’t allowed passing New Asia Highway.

Due to the fresh fighting near Dawna mountain range and Myawaddy Border Township, people living in Kawkareik feared to stay there and schools were closed. 

During the clashes, the roof of a school was damaged and some people were injured.

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