Download PDF File – Monthly Summary of Key Events in Karenni (September)
Attacks Targeting Civilians by the Military Junta
September 28 – Airstrike on an IDP Camp in Demoso Township
On the morning of September 28, the military junta carried out an airstrike in western Demoso Township, Karenni State, using two fighter jets and a Y-12 aircraft. The attack injured civilians at an internally displaced persons (IDP) camp, with at least five people wounded, including a 61-year-old father and his 31-year-old daughter from the same family.
September 26 – Drone Attack on a Funeral House
On September 26, the junta carried out a drone bomb attack on a house where a funeral was being held in Hpruso Township, injuring a 55-year-old woman. The drone used an incendiary bomb, which also caused the house to be destroyed by fire.
September 24 – Two Civilians Killed by Airstrike and Artillery Shelling in Bawlakhe
On the afternoon of September 24, the junta carried out an airstrike on an area in Bawlakhe Township, killing two men. A child and a woman were also injured in the attack. After the bombing, artillery shells followed, injuring a middle-aged woman and a man.
September 23 – Drone Bombing Destroys Houses in Eastern Hpruso
In a village in eastern Hpruso Township (Kaylyar Township), the junta dropped around four bombs using drones in the evening of September 23, destroying at least two houses. There were no casualties.
September 22 – A Man Injured by Drone Attack in Hpruso
A village in eastern Hpruso Township (Kaylyar) was bombed by a drone on the morning of September 22, injuring a man. The injured person was 45 years old and was attacked while he was working on a farm.
September 21 – Woman Killed by Artillery Shelling in Warisupalai
On September 21, a woman in her 50s was killed after being hit by an artillery shell fired by the military junta in Warisupalai Village, Moebye, from the Karenni-Shan border. The woman was an IDP who was returning to her home village to collect firewood.
September 16 – Suicide Drone Attack Near an Orphanage
On the evening of September 16, the military junta carried out a suicide drone attack near an orphanage in western Demoso Township, killing a nine-year-old child and injuring three others. Local residents said the attack also damaged a Hijet car, a Honda Fit car, electrical lines, and several houses.
September 16 – Drone Attack on a Football Match
At around 1 p.m. on September 16, the junta carried out a suicide drone attack on an area where a football match was taking place in western Demoso Township. Some civilians were injured in the attack, but this could not be independently confirmed.
September 15 – Airstrikes on Demoso
In western Demoso Township, after the junta dropped around eight bombs from two aircraft, they also fired artillery approximately five times from military bases, according to local residents. There were no casualties reported.
September 14 – Man Killed in Suicide Drone Attack in Nanmekhon
On the evening of September 14, the junta carried out a suicide drone attack on a village in Nanmekhon Township, killing a man in his 40s. During the attack, two suicide drones were used, followed by one round of artillery fire.
September 8 – Drone Bombing Destroys a House in Kaylyar
A local resident said that the junta carried out two drone bombings in Hpruso Township between 5:30 and 5:45 p.m. on September 8, destroying a house.
September 6 – Three Airstrikes on Eastern Loikaw Township
At around 5 p.m. on September 6, the junta carried out three airstrikes on a village in eastern Loikaw Township. A phone shop and several houses were damaged in the attacks.
September 5 – Five Civilians Killed by Airstrike in Somo Preh Soe Leh
The junta carried out an airstrike on September 5 on an area where civilians were living in Somo Preh Soe Leh Township (Shardaw Township), Karenni State, killing five civilians, including children. The attack injured 15 people, including three children under the age of 10.
September 1 – Airstrike in Mawchi Kills Five Civilians
On the evening of September 1, the junta carried out an airstrike near a mining site in the Mawchi area of Hpasawng Township, killing three men and two women, including a child under 15. According to Kantarawaddy Times’ accessible records, eight people were injured, but the actual number of injured people on the ground may be higher.
Civilian Casualties
In Karenni State during September, civilian casualties caused by attacks by the military junta increased compared with previous months. 15 people have been killed and 37 injured. In August, there were nine civilian deaths and eight injuries.
Most of the civilian casualties recorded this month were caused by airstrikes, but the junta has also been increasingly carrying out drone attacks.
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Karenni Army (KA) Deputy Chief Commander Colonel Phone Naing Passes Away
Colonel Phone Naing, Deputy Chief Commander of the Karenni Army (KA), passed away on September 27 from an illness.
Colonel Phone Naing died at 6:45 p.m. Myanmar Standard Time while receiving medical treatment in Thailand. He was 76 years old.
In addition to serving as the KA’s Deputy Chief Commander, Colonel Phone Naing also served as a permanent Central Committee member of the Karenni National Progressive Party (KNPP).
He was also a leader who had played a significant role in the Karenni revolutionary movement for many years.
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Conflict Situation
Moebye Township
During September, clashes frequently occurred in Moebye between the military junta’s forces stationed in the town and revolutionary forces. During a clash on September 14 in Warisupalai village, Moebye Township, two members of the Kayan National Army (KNA) were killed after being hit by a drone attack launched by junta forces.
In addition to the frequent clashes, junta forces conduct daily drone surveillance and bombing attacks. Revolutionary forces have warned people not to travel to designated areas near the Shan-Karenni border. Southern Shan-Karenni Military Region, Tactical Command 11, has also warned people to remain particularly alert to the risk of airstrikes and to take shelter in bomb shelters or other protected areas whenever they hear aircraft or drone sounds.
Hpruso Township
In Hpruso Township, local residents said that junta military columns have been moving along the Union Highway since the last week of September. In addition to military movements, there have been civilian casualties and injuries due to artillery shelling toward populated areas and drone bombing attacks.
Local residents, including Internally Displaced People (IDPs), have also been fleeing as the military columns have approached.
Loikaw Township
In eastern Loikaw Township, as junta forces’ attacks have increased since the first week of September, people have to relocate again.
Although some people have also returned to Loikaw due to the local security situation and other reasons, they have reportedly been questioned and arrested by junta forces. Junta forces asked the people about the activities and movements of revolutionary forces.
In Loikaw Township, clashes with revolutionary forces have occurred as junta forces have conducted ground offensives as well as airstrikes and drone attacks in an attempt to regain control over the area, according to a male local administrative official.
Some Schools in Karenni Temporarily Closed Due to Security Concerns
During September, junta forces carried out airstrikes, drone bombings, and reconnaissance flights using aircraft and drones in Loikaw, Shardaw (Somo Preh Soe Leh), Hpruso, the Mawchi area of Hpasawng Township, and Demoso Township in Karenni State.
Due to the threat of airstrikes and the security situation, some schools in Karenni State were temporarily closed during the 2026–27 academic year. Teachers said that such conditions could affect not only students’ education pathways but also their mental well-being.
Particularly in western Demoso Township, where frequent airstrikes, drone bombings, and artillery shelling occur, teachers said that schools must remain constantly alert to the threat of air attacks when classes are being held. When the security situation becomes more dangerous, schools have had to close immediately.
In some schools, since it has also become impossible to run regular classes inside school buildings, students have to gather in small groups to be taught at home.
Teachers said if schools close for a long time, it can disrupt students’ regular education because when the classroom hours are reduced, it is difficult to complete the curriculum as scheduled. They added that because keeping schools open during periods of airstrike threats could pose security risks to both students and teachers, they are prioritizing security rather than being able to open schools normally.
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KNPP Appoints Its First Female Secretary
In the re-election and appointments of vacant positions in the Karenni National Progressive Party (KNPP), Maw Theh Mar was selected and appointed as Secretary (2), becoming the first woman secretary in the party’s history.
This is the first time in KNPP’s history that a woman has been appointed to a secretary position.
The appointments to fill vacant positions were made during an emergency meeting of the KNPP Central Committee for the party’s 15th Congress term, held on September 10.
During the meeting, Khu Plu Reh was selected as General Secretary, while Neineh Plo was selected as Secretary (1). KNPP Vice Chairperson Khu Htel Bue was assigned to fill the KNPP representative position that had become vacant at the Karenni State Consultative Council (KSCC).
Maw Theh Mar’s authority and responsibilities as Secretary (2) will be carried out in accordance with the KNPP’s principles, policies, and constitution, according to the party.
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Woman Leader Appointed as KSCC Chairperson
The Karenni State Consultative Council (KSCC) has also restructured its executive committee and appointed woman leader Mu Angela as chairperson to fill the position left vacant following the death of former Chairperson U Aung San Myint.
At the KSCC’s 27th regular weekly meeting on September 19, the executive committee was restructured, including the chairperson position, in accordance with procedures for forming the executive committee.
Mu Angela previously served as a Joint Secretary of the KSCC.
The KSCC carries out administrative, legislative, and judicial functions in Karenni State. The current Karenni State Interim Executive Council (IEC) is also an interim government body operating under the administrative framework established by the KSCC.
Following these appointments by the KNPP and KSCC, women are taking on greater leadership roles in decision-making institutions in Karenni State.
Passport Applicants in Loikaw Questioned About Links to the Revolutionary Ties, and Required to Pay Additional Fees
In Loikaw, Karenni State, under the control of the military junta, people applying for passports have been questioned about their connections to the revolution, according to applicants.
Local residents said that men under the age of 35 are being checked to determine whether they have been registered for military service, and that people under the age of 35 face restrictions on applying for passports.
Women applicants have also been questioned in detail about their reasons for traveling abroad. Some have received passports, while others have not, according to local residents.
People seeking to apply for passports have to undergo interviews before their passports are issued. Each week, 30 applicants are interviewed at the Hluttaw office by five officials, including a minister, a Regional Operations Command official, a police officer, and other officials.
Local residents also said that some people pay brokers between 300,000 and 500,000 kyats to help process the application quickly.
