Download – Summary of Key Events in Karenni State in September
Demoso Township
Junta Troops Entrench Along Demoso–Hpruso Road, Shell Nearby Villages
Since the first week of August, after junta forces regained control of Demoso town, they have advanced along the road connecting Demoso and Hpruso townships and established positions along the route.
Due to these offensives, clashes with revolutionary forces have continued, while junta troops have also carried out artillery attacks on villages where civilians remain.
In September, fighting has been ongoing in Daw Ngan Khar quarter, which is a key passage between the eastern and western parts of the Demoso township, according to Tar Eh Soe, spokesperson of the Karenni Nationalities Defense Force (KNDF), who spoke to Kantarawaddy Times on September 29.
Religious Buildings Targeted in Attacks
On September 17, junta forces carried out an airstrike on the Catholic church in Ta Nan Oo Koi village by dropping bombs on the site. The attack destroyed the church, but no casualties were reported. Ta Nan Oo Koi village is located near Daw Nga Khar quarter, where clashes are ongoing, though the village itself is not a current battle site.
On September 27, the military junta’s troops set fire to and destroyed the Catholic convent school in Daw Ngan Khar quarter. The troops have been stationed inside the convent school, where clashes with revolutionary forces have been taking place.
Due to continued military offensives aimed at regaining control of the area, at least three villages in Demoso Township have been displaced. Residents of Pa To Ngan, Kwai Ngan Ywar Thit, and So Dae Khu villages in the Saung Du Lar village tract have fled to other areas.
On September 26, the joint administration committee of Nan Mae Khon, Loi Nan Pha, and De Baung Khu townships issued a joint statement urging people not to travel or move around during the designated emergency period, citing the need to handle security matters within the revolutionary areas.
The committee also urged the public to comply with the security directives.
Junta Airstrikes Target Civilians in Demoso Township
In September, junta forces carried out two airstrikes on civilian areas in Demoso Township.
On September 1, an airstrike targeted an internally displaced persons (IDP) camp, injuring two children around 12 years old, and a 50-year-old woman when an aircraft bomb hit them.
“An aerial bomb dropped by the junta, found after the airstrike on an IDP camp. Photo – Kantarawaddy Times”
Three Civilians Killed in Junta Artillery Strike
On September 11, junta forces shelled the eastern part of Demoso Township, killing three members of a family and injuring three children under the age of 16.
Those killed were identified as a 91-year-old woman, a 44-year-old man, and a 38-year-old woman. The injured children were also from the same family.
Hpruso Township
Junta Troops Prepare Offensive Toward Bawlakhe, Which Is Set To Be Included in Election Phase 1, from Hpruso Township
On September 18, more than 50 junta military vehicles arrived at bases inside Hpruso Township. The area hosts the junta’s No. 14 Advanced Military Training School, along with Light Infantry Battalions (LIB) 428 and 531.
According to a spokesperson of the Karenni Nationalities Defense Force (KNDF), the newly deployed junta forces are preparing to launch an offensive toward Bawlakhe Township. Their presence has also triggered clashes with revolutionary forces near the No. 14 training school and Mar Khraw Shay village.
Bawlakhe Township is designated to be part of the junta’s planned first phase of elections on December 28. Known locally as a garrison town under long-time military control, Bawlakhe remains firmly under junta authority despite clashes that have cut off road access for supplies since the coup. The junta is pushing offensives to secure territory and reopen land routes ahead of the planned polls.
The KNDF spokesperson said the junta has reinforced its presence along the Demoso–Hpruso–Bawlakhe road, stationing around 1,000 troops to prepare for further operations.
Earlier, on September 2, junta artillery fire injured a displaced man and woman in Hpruso Township, with the man sustaining serious injuries.
Due to heightened military movements, revolutionary forces have urged civilians in the area to travel with caution.
Hpasawng Township
Revolutionary Forces Continue Efforts to Capture the Remaining LIB 135 Base in Hpasawng Township
In Hpasawng Township, junta forces still hold one remaining base belonging to Light Infantry Battalion (LIB) 135. Fighting is ongoing, but Kantarawaddy Times has not been able to independently verify detailed information about the situation.
The Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) released video evidence on September 3 confirming their capture of the LIB 134 base.
Meanwhile, in the Mawchi area of Hpasawng Township, a landslide occurred in 16 Kone quarter on September 20, shortly after a junta airstrike targeted the area. According to information obtained by Kantarawaddy Times, no casualties were reported, though several houses were damaged in the incident.
Loikaw Township
Junta Files Charges Against Five in Loikaw, Including Three Minors, Under Election Law
The junta announced on September 22 that it had filed charges and detained five people in Loikaw, including three minors, accusing them of disrupting and obstructing the upcoming election.
According to the statement, the five Loikaw residents were arrested on September 14. This marks the first case in Karenni State where arrests and charges have been made under the junta’s election law.
The junta also said that four men from No. 5 quarter, Shwepyitha Township, Yangon, were charged and detained under Article 23(a) of the Election Obstruction Prevention Law. The provision can carry a minimum sentence of three years and up to seven years in prison, along with possible fines. However, the junta did not specify what exact actions the arrested individuals were accused of committing.
It has been stated that any activity aimed at disrupting the 2025 multi-party election, including social media posts, public speeches, campaigns, protests, written materials, or displaying posters, will be treated as election obstruction under the law.
