According to a Karenni Nationalities Defense Force (KNDF) official, the Military Council is launching a powerful offensive in collaboration with the air force and army to secure control over the vital Loikaw-Demoso-Bawlakhe road. The official also stated that the battle is expected to escalate further.
For over two months now, the Military Council has been conducting combat operations on two fronts in the eastern part of Demoso Township, Karenni State, specifically from Loikaw Township and Bawlakhe Township, starting from March 9, 2023.
Karenni Nationalities Defense Force (KNDF) Tactical Commander Khu Ree Du said, "If the Military Council unfolds in the eastern part of Demoso, then they will go directly towards Bawlakhe, Hpruso, and Shadaw. They are also persistently attacking the main routes with significant forces, which means the fighting will escalate further. We are left with no alternatives; we must defend ourselves and retaliate. There's no other option for us. I want to emphasize that the intensity of the conflict will only increase."
The Loikaw-Demoso-Bawlakhe road serves as a crucial route connecting Loikaw Township to Demoso, Bawlakhe, and HpaSaung townships, facilitating the transportation of reinforcements, ammunition, and essential food supplies.
Since the beginning of the military council's combat operation, skirmishes between the joint forces of KNDF, KA, and PDF, and the military have been taking place almost every day.
According to KNDF Tactical Commander Khu Ree Du, the Military Council is launching attacks with three battalions, namely Infantry Battalion 287, Light Infantry Battalion 513, and Light Infantry Battalion 517, stretching from Loikaw Township and Demoso Township Sanpa-6 miles to the eastern side of Demoso, including Hta Nee Lar Leh Village, Seven Stages Lake, and Dawtangu Village Ridge.
In the mountains near Hta Nee Lar Leh village, the offensive column of the Military Council and joint forces are engaged in renewed combat. During the skirmishes that took place from May 15 to 17, the military conducted airstrikes, resulting in damage to several homes belonging to local residents.
Khu Nye Reh, Minister of the Interior of the Karenni State Government, said, "On the night of the 16th, one comrade from our side and another from the KNDF were killed. In total, there are four, five, six people injured."
Heading from Bawlakhe towards Dawngaykhu and Dawtamagyi, the Military Council has deployed five battalions—Light Infantry Battalion 516, Light Infantry Battalion 515, Infantry Battalion 12, Infantry Battalion 14, and Infantry Battalion 80—in three columns to launch their attacks.
According to KNDF Tactical Commander Khu Ree Du, a total of eight battalions from the Military Council are launching attacks on the eastern side of Demoso.
When the joint forces mounted resistance against the Military Council, which had been conducting combat operations from Bawlakhe to the Dawtamagyi village-tract since March, the military council troops retreated to the Dawngaykhu ridge.
However, on May 2, it is reported that they resumed combat operations in the Dawtamagyi village-tract and redeployed their forces in Dawngaykhu and Dawsohpya villages.
During the skirmishes between the Military Council and the Karenni Joint Forces in the eastern part of Demoso township, the airstrikes carried out by the Military Council have resulted in damage to residential homes and hospitals over a period of more than two months.
"Their ground artillery support is already present, and there has been an increase in air support as well. This indicates that they may not possess significant strength on the ground, as they are relying more and more on air support. It seems they are unable to penetrate to a significant extent, which is why their demand for air support continues to grow," Khu Ree Du said about the military council's increased use of air.
According to a news and information official from the KNDF, due to the heightened military tension on the ground, the Military Council has resorted to using helicopters for the transportation of wounded patients and the delivery of weapons and supplies.
A KNDF news and information official said, "I think they conducted operations during the last week of April to deliver food, weapons, and reinforcements. It appears they engaged in movements of personnel to and from locations like Loikaw, as well as transporting supplies, ammunition, and reinforcements."
The joint forces launched intercepted attacks on the Military Council column, which was reinforcing the forces from Bawlakhe to the eastern side of Demoso township. During these attacks, troops belonging to the Military Council were killed, and some weapons and ammunition were seized.
In the two months of fighting during March and April, approximately 100 weapons, including RPG-7, 60 mm, MG-3, MA-4, MA-3, MA-2, MA-1 and pistols belonging to the Military Council, were captured. The KNDF Tactical Commander, Khu Ree Du, stated that the most significant quantity of weapons and ammunition was seized during the intense skirmish with the Military Council following the coup.
In the battle that took place on the eastern side of Demoso township, there were casualties on both sides. The Military Council suffered casualties ranging from platoon commanders to lieutenant colonels. Recently, the KNDF launched an attack on the Military Council troops stationed in Thaysule village, located in the western part of Demoso township. As a result of the attack, one Military Council troop was killed and several others were injured, as announced by the KNDF 5th battalion.
