The Karenni Army (KA) has stated that the Military Council troops are making efforts to establish a route for delivering reinforcements and supplies to troops stationed in the townships of Hpruso, Bawlakhe, Hpasawng, and Mese in Karenni state. However, the revolutionary forces have managed to effectively block their progress, preventing them from breaking through.

"Their objective is to establish a route. The enemy's battalions are facing shortages of food. They are attempting to send reinforcements and supplies through this route. However, they have not succeeded in breaking through our blockade," explained Karenni Army (KA) Adjutant General Colonel Phone Naing.

From the beginning of August until now, daily and widespread fighting has been unfolding in Karenni state, with both the Military Council troops and the revolutionary forces putting in considerable effort to reclaim the territory.

On August 9, a representative of the Karenni Nationalities Defense Force (KNDF) informed the Kantarawaddy Times that the intensity of the fighting had increased because the Military Council split into two columns from Demoso and Ngwetaung, and they conducted military operations with a significant force in an attempt to regain control of the section of the Union Highway that connects Demoso and Hpruso.

In the townships of Mobye, Loikaw, Demoso, Hpruso, Hpasawng, Ywar Thit, Bawlakhe, and Mese, clashes occur between the Military Council troops and the combined revolutionary forces. Additionally, the Military Council conducts frequent airstrikes in the area.

Colonel Phone Naing disclosed that the 66th Division, a powerful unit sent by the Military Council to Karenni State following the coup, sustained significant losses, resulting in its inability to withdraw from Karenni State up until the present time.

At present, KA's Adjutant General Colonel Phone Naing stated that the 66th Division's remaining troops, along with 2 battalions from the 55th Division, the remaining troops of the local battalion, and 10 battalions under the 2nd Military Operations Command (MOC-2), are engaged in operations within Karenni State.

Colonel Phone Naing further mentioned that the troops remaining in Karenni State have been facing food shortages due to the revolutionary forces successfully severing all support routes for the Military Council's troops.

"Revolutionary forces successfully severed the land routes that could provide support. This is why the Military Council troops have escalated their airstrikes against Karenni. The Military Council is consistently utilizing warplanes to conduct bombardments and pave the way for reinforcements and supplies using helicopters.”

Due to substantial losses incurred by the Military Council troops, airstrikes often end up targeting civilians and communities where people reside, instead of the revolutionary forces.

"In 2021, airstrikes were carried out 80 times. In 2022, the number increased to 180 times. From January to July 2023, they conducted 283 airstrikes in Karenni State. This information is accurate and correct," Colonel Phone Naing affirmed regarding the frequency of airstrikes in Karenni State following the military coup.

In Karenni State, the military council's control is limited to just three areas: Loikaw urban, Bawlakhe urban, and Ywar Thit urban. The remaining townships have turned into conflict zones, prompting all residents to seek refuge for their safety.

"The conflict is ongoing, and I can hear it from areas where people have fled due to the war. My village is adjacent to the main road, and the military is advancing. We are seeking refuge in other villages, with the hope of returning to farming for our livelihoods. Fear has gripped us as the fighting isn't confined to specific areas – the military is firing indiscriminately. Our worry is that we might be caught in the crossfire," expressed a resident of Hpruso.

As reported by the Karenni Human Rights Group, the number of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Karenni State and along the Shan-Karenni border has exceeded 270,000, as these individuals have sought refuge due to the ongoing conflict.