After Karenni joint forces captured the Junta camps on the Thai-Karenni border, seven soldiers from the Military Council fled to Thailand with their weapons according to Colonel Phone Naing, the Adjutant General of the Karenni Army (KA) who shared this information with the Kantarawaddy Times.
The Karenni resistance army officer reported, “ During the capture of BP-14 camp, we learned that 7 soldiers from the Military Council fled with their weapons." Colonel Phone Naing added that, "When they fled, they took refuge dressed in black military uniforms known as Thahan Phran from Thailand. It remains uncertain how we should proceed with this situation." It is expected that the
Thai army will repatriate them across an official checkpoint.
Colonel Phone Naing reported that starting from June 13, the joint forces comprising the Karenni Army (KA) and the Karenni Nationalities Defense Force (KNDF) launched attacks on three Military Council camps and a police station along the Thai-Karenni border. These captured locations include Taung Hla camp, Mae Ta Nwe camp, BP-14 camp, and the Mese police station. As a result of these operations, the joint forces acquired weapons and ammunition.
According to Colonel Phone Naing, the joint forces successfully seized control of the Military Council's camps, resulting in casualties on their side..
As a consequence of artillery shells and airstrikes that occurred during the conflict, over 3,000 individuals, comprising residents from Demoso, Hpruso, and Bawlakhe townships who were seeking refuge from the war, along with people from Mese township, were compelled to flee to Thailand.
He stated that among those who sought refuge and fled to Thailand, there were not only internally displaced persons (IDPs) but also the families of departmental staff and police personnel affiliated with the Military Council.
Colonel Phone Naing further mentioned that although the precise list of Military Council staff and their family members is currently unknown, steps will be taken to ensure the safety of the internally displaced persons (IDPs) and the IDP camp. In this regard the staff members will be requested to return to their respective homes.
"We do not want government employees associated with the Military Council to remain alongside our IDPs," stated Colonel Phone Naing. "Since they are individuals associated with the Military Council, any information regarding the conditions of the IDP camps, communication status, and aid provisions will inevitably reach the Military Council. Therefore, we insist that all government employees affiliated with the Military Council return to the west bank. We refuse to accept their presence."
Colonel Phone Naing stated that during the night of June 15, the Military Council carried out an aerial bombardment on the Thai-Karenni border. He also indicated that there is a possibility of ongoing fighting in Mese township and along the Thai-Karenni border.
According to the Karenni Army (KA) and the Karenni Nationalities Defense Force (KNDF), daily battles have been taking place between the Karenni joint forces and the military council troops in Karenni state and the border areas since the coup began over two years ago. During these confrontations, military council troops have frequently fled, surrendered their weapons, and been captured by the joint forces.
