The Regime forces launched an offensive in Demoso Township on March 9 th , in Karenni (Kayah) State. The 9th Battalion of KNDF informed that the troops of the Military Council divided into three columns, marched from Bawlakhe, Sanpya, and 6-mile, and then launched an attack.
The 9th Battalion of KNDF has reported that there were casualties on both sides during the two- week-long fighting. It has been confirmed that a Captain from the Military Council forces was killed..
“KNDF B-09, KA and KNDF joined forces to repel the 300-strong Military Council troops who invaded the Dawse village on the eastern side in Demoso. The fighting lasted for 15 consecutive days, resulting in the death of a Captain from the Military Council and multiple casualties.
Some of the soldiers’ bodies were discovered buried hastily in shallow graves. The exact number of casualties has not been disclosed, but it’s clear that the Military Council suffered losses”, the 9th Battalion of KNDF stated.
On March 21st, Karenni resistance joint forces intercepted the Military Council troops in the Dawtamagyi village tract, resulting in a fierce confrontation. Subsequently, the Military Council base located in Bawlakhe provided artillery support by carrying out at least 10 bombardments.
Two fighter jets conducted at least six bombing attacks, the Karenni Military Information Center (KnMIC) reported on March 22nd.
During the conflict, a comrade from the joint forces was killed , while two others sustained non-life- threatening injuries. The KnMIC claimed that the Military Council had experienced significant losses, although the exact number of casualties remained unknown.
According to Karenni Interior Minister Khu Nye Reh, the Military Council sought air support due to the significant number of casualties. They resorted to air support, indicating that their forces may have already suffered significant losses”, he commented.
Khu Nye Reh added that the Military Council had deployed a force of up to 300 troops, divided into three columns, and was currently launching attacks in the eastern part of Demoso.
Meanwhile, Khun Bi Htoo, the chairperson of the KNDF, informed the Kantarawaddy Times that the Military Council had suffered an estimated 20 to 30 casualties during the 15-day battle in eastern Demoso. He also confirmed that the resistance forces had incurred their own casualties as well.
Other reports confirm that military vehicles from Loikaw have been dispatched as reinforcements to eastern Demoso as of March 19th. As the conflict continues to intensify, the KNDF has appealed to the public to provide the necessary weapons and food to support the Karenni joint forces.