By Kantarawaddy Times
Over the weekend, Karenni resistance forces successfully captured the police headquarters in Loikaw, the capital of Karenni State, following intense fighting that resulted in casualties for both sides.
Khun Bedu, chair of Karenni Nationalities Defense Force (KNDF), one of the armed groups participating in the assault on the complex situated in Daw Au Khu Ward, explained, “There were soldiers from State Administration Council (SAC) deployed around the state police headquarters, and they defended it well, which is why we had to attack it over a few days.”
The KNDF leader mentioned they discovered the bodies of slain enemy soldiers and captured their weapons after gaining control of the building on December 9. Approximately 40 SAC soldiers were stationed there, Khun Bedu noted, and some of them managed to escape during the siege. He reported that six Karenni fighters lost their lives during the battle.
KNDF, along with Karenni Army, Karenni Nationalities People’s Liberation Front, People’s Defense Force, and other resistance forces, has been attacking SAC in the capital town since November 11 when the 1111 Operation was launched to force the regime from the state.
According to an anonymous KNDF officer from the group’s information department, “SAC is now in its defensive position in Loikaw town. They cannot send reinforcement troops and mainly using air strikes and artillery attacks.”
Karenni groups claim to control two-thirds of the town. While their ground forces dominate the majority of Karenni State, SAC still maintains control of the airspace over the state due to the absence of many large weapons or any planes among the resistance forces.
