On March 2, the Karenni Military Information Center (KMIC) announced that they had attacked and captured hill point no. 1441, an artillery camp of the Military Council, located on the Thai-Karenni border.
According to reports, the attack was carried out on February 27 at 6:30 am, and the joint forces were able to raid and attack the camp within minutes. During the attack, 10 soldiers of the Military council were killed, and there were also casualties among the Karenni Army (KA) and the Karenni Nationalities Defense Force (KNDF).
“ The attack on the camp started at 6:30 a.m. We were able to capture a camp named 1441 within a few minutes. At 8:00 a.m. after clearing the camp, about 5 warplanes fired machine guns from the warplanes and dropped bombs. That’s when we retreated," the Minister of the Ministry of Interior Affairs of the Karenni state, Khu Nye Reh, said.
“ The border camps have their strategic hill. It is a strategic place. So, it is important. The camps are said to protect the regime from all enemies. Therefore, in such camps, they have to defend themselves to the death. It is that important for them,” Khu Nye Reh continued.
Located near the BP-12 Kauk Kauk camp on the Thai-Karenni border, the captured camp served as the base for the Military Council’s 135th Infantry Battalion, 54th Infantry Battalion, and 360th Artillery Battalion.
As a result of the attack, the joint forces were able to seize several weapons belonging to the Military Council, including one 120mm mortar, one 9mm pistol, one MG-3 machine gun, three MA-2 assault rifles, one MA-4 sniper rifle, and two other weapons of unknown types, in addition to bombs and ammunition.
During preparations to attack another Military Council camp, the group was forced to retreat when the Military Council arrived with five warplanes, firing machine guns and dropping bombs, according to their statement.
At the end of the rainy season and during the winter season, the Military Council usually sends food and ammunition to remote camps. However, they are reportedly facing food shortages due to frequent interceptions by the revolutionary forces.
According to a KA military news report, there were seven skirmishes in the border areas between January and February 2023, resulting in the deaths of 40 people and 20 injuries on the side of the Military Council.
On January 20, 2023, Karenni joint forces launched an attack on the Military Council’s strategic Mae Salong hill camp near Nan Phe village in Bawlakhe Township. They were able to seize weapons and ammunition during the attack.
