As part of Operation 1111 initiated in Karenni (Kayah) State, fighting continues in downtown Loikaw. Revolutionary forces have warned residents not to return to Loikaw due to artillery shelling.
An information officer of the Karenni Nationalities Defense Force (KNDF) said the locals who remain in the town are required to move to safer places as the military council is carrying out airstrikes and artillery shelling daily in order to continue to control the town.
“In order to continue to control the town, the military council attacked various non-military targets and civilians. The military council is especially carrying out day and night attacks with the excessive use of heavy weapons and airplanes. Heavy weapons and airstrikes can harm the people. Currently Loikaw is not suitable as it has become a battlefield. If possible, they should move to other safe places,” he added.
Some people remain in the place near Battalion-54, Kyitharyar, Acre-500 and Lawdhama wards in Loikaw, according to the revolutionary forces.
U Banyar, Secretary-2 of the Karenni State Interim Executive Council (IEC) urged the people to flee while the military situation is still stable. Because the military council often carries out shelling, bombardments and arson attacks on civilian areas when the military council suffers heavy casualties.
The displaced persons who fled to Shan State from Loikaw, can contact the committee formed by the IEC if they return to Loikaw to bring food and utensils, U Banyar said.
“Locals can inquire whether the situation is safe. We have a town preservation committee organized by the Home Affairs Department of the IEC and jointly formed with the Karenni forces and the revolutionary forces. After coordinating with the relevant persons and obtaining possible permissions, the necessary utensils and food can be brought,” U Banyar added.
Operation 1111, an urban operation that began on 11 November 2023, entered 59th day on 8 January. Karenni revolutionary forces currently control more than half of the town, and the operation is still ongoing, the KNDF said.
Sent by Kantarawaddy Times.