At least four Tatmadaw soldiers were killed during ambushes by the combined forces of Karenni Army (KA) and Karenni Nationalities Defence Force (KNDF) in Demawso Township on Tuesday, according to the civilian resistance group that has been fighting the military since May.
The groups ambushed the Burma Army (BA) near Dor Poe Si village at around 3 pm and the second battle took place a few hours later near San Pya.
Several houses in the village were damaged by artillery fire from BA. On the same day, KA and the KNDF attacked Demawso Police Station at 7 pm.
“I think the clashes in Demawso Township will escalate further, so people have to take care of themselves. The Burma Army has sent more troops to the township and clashes can happen anytime,” the KNDF spokesperson told Kantarawaddy Times.
The spokesperson said the KNDF and KA mainly plan ambushes against the Tatmadaw in Demawso Township.
By its own account, the KNDF has clashed with the military 60 times since it was formed after the coup to resist the military dictatorship. There were 8 clashes in Loilan Lay sub township, 5 in Moebye, 13 in Loikaw, 16 in Demawso, 9 in Hpruso, 5 in Bawlakhe and 4 in Pekon townships.
A total of 243 houses and 5 Catholic churches were destroyed by fighting in Karenni State. There were 83 people killed and 107 injured.
The military council arrested 170 people. Over 120,000 people were displaced by the BA offensives, 6,000 of them between August 16 to 29.
