Resistance forces conducting operations in Karenni (Kayah) State and the Shan-Karenni border regions are grappling with food shortages, compounded by a rise in military expenditures. Since late November, the Karenni joint resistance forces have intensified their offensives against the Military Council troops in the region.

Sources within the resistance forces report that there is a current requirement of 200 -300 bags of rice for comrades deployed in combat zones. They also disclosed that the cost of ammunition for a skirmish lasting over an hour, amounted to tens of millions of MMK according to market prices.

An official from the Karenni Revolution Union (KRU) informed Than Lwin Times that due to the increasing utilization of funds for ammunition in the ongoing conflict, there is a growing food challenge for their resistance comrades.

"The current pressing issue is the food shortage. While battalions and columns prioritized obtaining weapons and ammunition, it created a gap in food procurement. Although funding campaigns and agreements on ammunition supply have eased the process of obtaining weapons, unfortunately the food crisis is worsening”, he explained.

The ongoing conflicts has led the Military Council to impose restrictions on supply routes from southern Shan State to Karenni State. This has heightened the hardships for the resistance forces in securing essential food supplies.

The joint resistance forces have declared the capture of nearly 90 percent of the districts of Mongpai (Mobye) and Pekon in the Shan-Karenni border region, achieving this milestone in the span of almost two months since the commencement of their operations.