More than 70 militarycouncil soldiers were killed and arms and ammunition seized in a two-dayfighting on Demoso- Hpruso Union Road in Karenni (Kayah) State, according tothe statement by Demoso People’s Defense Force (PDF)– 1102 on 19 August.

From 10 August to 14 August, there had been intense fightingbetween the military council troops and the combined Karenni revolutionaryforce on the Demoso-Hpruso Union Road, according to the combined force.

On 10 and 12 August, there was intense fighting, resulting inthe casualties from the two armed groups, the combined force said.

According to the statement by Demoso PDF – 1102 on 19August, 45 soldiers from the Light Infantry Battalion (LIB)-112 underDivision-55 of the military council and 26 from the LID-3 including thecommander and the deputy commander.

The combined force seized 15 small arms, one heavy weapon,bullets, ammunition and military equipment during the area clearance operation.

The military column was jointly attacked by a combined forceof the Karenni Army (KA), the Karenni National People’s LiberationFront (KNPLF), the Central Command-Karenni (Kayah) military regionbattalions, the DMO Local PDF, Karenni of Wolf Column and the KarenniNationalities Defence Force (KNDF).

Fighting intensified after the military council troopsstarted an offensive along Demoso- Hpruso Union road on 2 August.

A second lieutenant from the Karenni Army (KA) and a comradefrom the KNDF/B 04 were killed in the two-day fighting, according to thestatement.

Currently, the Demoso PDF – 1102 has warned the public toavoid travelling and be cautious about the military situation as there is amilitary tension between the military council forces and the combined force.

Photocaption: Arms and ammunition seized after the battle. (Photo -DemawsoPDF – 1102)