Over two hundred soldiers from two Burma Army (BA) columns left Hpruso Township, near the areas of Hoya and Beya. The troops stayed for one night in the surrounding villages after arriving on July 23.

“They took photos of churches and schools in the villages,” a resident told Kantarawaddy Times. “When they (BA) aren’t around, our area is peaceful. After they left, life returned to normal.”

According to the Karenni Nationalities Defense Force (KNDF), the military columns came from Betu village, located in Pekon Township, in southern Shan State.

KNDF and Karenni Army (KA) are fighting against the military near Nan Hpe village between Bawlakhe and Hpruso townships.

The fighting started after Karenni soldiers and resistance fighters ambushed the military entering the Karenni National Progressive Party-controlled area, the political wing for KA.

Following this, the military dispatched reinforcements west of Hpruso Township.

Many civilians have fled the fighting and the BA soldiers advancing in the township.

KNDF sent out a warning to villagers that the military launched an offensive, warning them to be cautious and on high alert when travelling because fighting could break out in the area at any time.