Gunfight In Kayah State: 14 Myanmar Regime Soldiers Killed, Three Trucks Hit By Mines

Illustration of the Karenni people's defense forces in Demoso, Kayah. (Facebook/Demoso People Defense Force)

JAKARTA - At least 14 soldiers of the Myanmar military regime were reported killed in a shootout with the Karenni Army (KA) and the Karenni National Defense Forces (KNDF) in Kayah State.

Citing The Irrawaddy on Thursday 5 August, the firefight began when civil resistance fighters and troops from the KNDF and KA, the armed wing of the Karenni National Progressive Party, ambushed about 120 soldiers from the 66th Division west of Demoso Township on Wednesday afternoon.

The KNDF said regime forces were preparing an attack on Hpruso Township. Three soldiers of the Myanmar military regime were killed and others injured. Meanwhile, no casualties were reported by the armed ethnic group.

Four exchanges of fire between Myanmar military forces and the combined KA and KNDF took place in the townships of Hpruso and Bawlakhe. Villagers have fled their homes to avoid clashes, according to the KNDF.

The KNDF said troops tortured village civilians and looted Nan Hpe village in Bawlakhe Township after being attacked by Karenni troops in the township.

The heaviest fighting took place near Htar Lal village in Hpruso Township when KA and KNDF ambushed about 27 military trucks carrying soldiers. Three vehicles caught fire after setting off a landmine.

"At least 11 junta soldiers were killed and at least 20 injured," the KNDF said. The Irrawaddy could not independently confirm military casualties.

In retaliation, the regime attacked Karenni forces in the townships of Loikaw, Demoso, Hpruso, Bawlakhe and Hpasawng. The airstrikes targeted civilian targets, after suffering heavy losses in the state.

"We will not allow the military to enter the territory controlled by the Karenni Army. We will fight to force the troops out," said the representative of KA on Thursday, August 5. Armed resistance to the junta began in Kayah State in late May

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