Junta troops are conducting raids and burning down civilian houses after entering Hmainglone ward in Loikaw, Karenni (Kayah) State, according to a statement by the Karenni Nationalities Defence Force (KNDF).
On 27 July, the KNDF announced that since the last week of June, the advancing military council forces have been burning civilian houses in Ywardanshae ward in Hmainglone in Loikaw almost every day, without apparent reasons.
A Loikaw local said: “Last month, I returned home to check on it in Hmainglone ward. I didn’t dare to enter my house when I saw soldiers taking positions on the street. I saw soldiers burning my house from a distance. Displaced people no longer dare to return home due to ongoing fighting.”
The military council soldiers entered the ward and broke into civilian houses. Then, they took belongings and burned the houses.
Till 27 July, over 60 civilian houses were burned down in Ywardanshae ward in Hmainglone, according to the KNDF and locals.
According to the KNDF, fighting between the resistance forces and the military council has been ongoing in Loikaw since the launch of Operation 1111.
Since 4 July, fighting has been taking place between the military council force stationed in wards in Loikaw and KNDF, Karenni Army (KA) and MK CDF.
There have been clashes in Hmainglone, Ywardanshae, Htudungantha, Loikaw Technological University and Myakalat Mountain, according to the resistance forces.
The military council is attempting to restore its administrative control by encouraging the public to return to Loikaw, despite ongoing fighting in the area.
The KNDF has cautioned the public not to return home, advising them to seek accurate information from relevant authorities, prioritize their safety, and remain on high alert for military activities.
As of 30 June 2024 since the 2021 military coup, 2616 civilian houses were burned down in Karenni State, according to a statement by the Progressive Karenni People Force (PKPF).
Sent by Kantarawaddy Times.
