An interview with an official of the Karenni Nationalities Defense Force (KNDF) on the latest military situation in Moebye Township.
23 Feb 2022
Fighting starts as the military council troops conducted an offensive operation in Moebye Township on the Shan-Kayah Border and nearby villages since February 15th.
The Kantarawaddy Times (KT) interviewed an official of the KNDF about the military situation between the military council troops and a combined force of the KNDF and the People’s Defense Force (PDF).
Q: Why did the fighting start in Moebye?
A: As far as I remember, fighting took place within the previous two days. The military council conducts the offensive operations Falaing and the foot of Lwalyin mountain after the deployment of around 500 troops at Light Infantry Battalion-422 in Moebye. Due to it, there were clashes between the PDF, the KNDF and the Karenni Army (KA). That is what I have heard within two days.
Q: Fighting started on February 16th. May I know the current situation on the ground?
A: As far as I remember, fighting continued to intensify for two consecutive days. The junta conducted airstrikes and used two tanks. The junta troops shot every body found on the road. I assumed that the military used jet fighters and tanks as it suffered heavy casualties.
Q: May I know the casualties suffered by the military council in the fighting?
A: I think it may be around 20 to 25. Some soldiers of the military council were severely injured in the two-day fighting.
Q: May I know the casualties from a combined force including the KA and the KNDF?
A: As far as I know, the number of the injured is higher than the number of deaths. According to my estimate, three to five members from a combined force of the PDF and the KNDF are killed.
Q: How long will this fighting take?
A: Today is the 4th day. Today, the junta troops started firing heavy and light weapons. Fighting may take a longer period of time if the military council plans to carry out area clearance operations on the mountain. I cannot exactly say. It depends on the military council. We are ready to fight as long as the junta troops continue to move forward.
Q: We have heard the news that the military council is carrying out the deployments of troops. What do you know about that?
A: Last night, around 20 military vehicles were on standby. The military is in position to deploy more troops in Moebye. The military is estimated to use around 500 to 600 troops. I think the military uses all of its forces.
Q: The members from the battle fields said they suffer losses due to an imbalance of weapons.
A: We have to withdraw from the battlefields due to the imbalance of weapons. For instance, we are not in a position to use around two heavy weapons when the military council is using around 10 heavy shells. It is an undeniable fact that every force needs heavy weapons. I think the forces invite donations as they really need funds. The members of the PDFs will actually know the situation on the ground.
Q: Which encouragement do you want to convey to each PDF member?
A: I think they should not feel depressed. We really need to continue our fight. We need to endure it. We are important in terms of border and military strategy. We have to pay a high price. We know that every force is tried. But we cannot give up our primary objectives. The military council will use all nefarious means. Especially we need to be more cautious about it.
Q: Do you have anything to add?
A: Fighting is taking place. We suffer casualties day by day. We don’t want to deny it. The reason why we suffer casualties is an imbalance of weapons. This problem makes it very difficult. But we need to cautiously monitor Waryisuply at the foot of Lwalyin Mountain in Moebye. There is a big difference between the military council and the PDFs in terms of troops and arms. The military council is using every possible means to control the situation. The situation is terrible as the military council is using banned heavy weapons and jet fighters. The public needs to play their part. This is the first point. The second point is I would like to call on the IDPs to flee to safer places as the military has given the shoot-to-kill order. I would especially like to urge the IDPs to stay away from the battles as we all have witnessed inhumane acts. The IDPs need to help each other.
Sent by Maw Oo Myar (Kantarawaddy Times)
