Summary of Key Events in Karenni State in November

Military Junta Expands Its Area of Operations in Karenni

Throughout November, the military junta has been continuously conducting military operations along the Union Highway that runs from the northern to the southern parts of Karenni State, passing through Loikaw, Demoso, Hpruso, and Bawlakhe.

In addition, around 100 soldiers from the junta’s base in Bawlakhe advanced to Maesalaung Mountain (local name), near Nanphe village, reaching there around the third week of November (around November 21).

“On the day that they came, there were quite a lot of mine explosions. Almost the whole day, landmines exploded. I think their main goal was to return to their base. They seem not to care about the casualties. They must have suffered significant losses,” said a local resident living nearby.

Three separate columns left Bawlakhe, but later regrouped. One remaining column reached Htoo Chaung (Htoo River) in the third week of November, though their exact position is unknown, a member of the revolutionary forces told Kantarawaddy Times.

“At first, three columns came. Now one of them is stationed at Maesaloung, and they’ve also set up in two other surrounding locations,” he added.