Narinjara News, April 19, 2023

Khu Nyeh Reh, who is in charge of the Karenni Military Information Center (KnIC) told  Narinjara News that during the 3-day battle between the Military Council and Karenni armed joint forces in Demoso township of Karenni (Kayah) state, over 30 Military Council troops were killed and many weapons were seized from April 16 to 18.

He reported that the Military Council suffered many casualties during the clashes and they had been firing with jet fighters for 3 days.

"The Military Council deployed a significant amount of force, with approximately three battalions fighting together. They used jet fighters to fire at our forces at 12 noon and 3 p.m. on April 16th, and again at 12 p.m. on the 17th. Yesterday, they fired again at 5 p.m., making it a total of four times in three days," he said.

He continued to say that the military has been tense until now.

Khu Nyeh Reh, who is in charge of KnMIC, reported that as of 7:00 a.m. on April 16, over 170 forces, together with the 15th Infantry Battalion, 55th Infantry Battalion, and 80th Infantry Battalion under the 66th Division of the Military Council, initiated a military operation against Dawnyi village and Dawtanagyi village-tract located in the eastern part of Demoso Township.

Furthermore, he stated that two Military Council camps had been established near Dawnyi village since March, but the Karenni armed joint forces seized both of these camps during the three-day battle.

The revolutionary forces engaged in the battle include KA, KNDF B/10, B/05, B/06, B/01, B/16, B/15, KNDF ETD, and Loikaw PDF. One comrade from KA lost their life during the battle.

Among the large amount of weapons and ammunition seized, the equipment of Lieutenant Colonel Nyein Chan, the battalion commander of the Military Council, was also seized. Although there are reports that the battalion commander died in the battle, it has not yet been confirmed, Khu Nyeh Reh said.