A total of 412 clashes were recorded in 2022, according to the statement by the Progressive Karenni People Force (PKPF) on January 1.
The number of clashes increased nearly four times in 2022 compared to that in 2021. However, there was no intense fighting in 2022, said Khu Daniel, Deputy Defense Minister for the Karenni State Government.
“At the beginning of 2021, intense fighting was reported. The number of fighting in 2022 was higher than that in 2021. Locals fled to safer places due to the military council’s arson attacks in 2021,” Khu Daniel said.
With more clashes reported, both the Karenni combined force and the military suffered heavy casualties. Forty-one members of the Karenni combined force were reportedly killed in 2021 and 170 in 2022 while 448 members of the military council were killed in 2021 and 1,244 in 2022, according to the PKPF’s list.
According to the ground information, the military council is carrying out the movement of troops in Karenni State. Fighting may continue in the coming dry season, Khu Daniel added.
“At present, all armed organizations are preparing for battles. Taking a look at the New Year speeches, more leaders of armed organizations said they would root out the junta. There is no organization which wants to make a ceasefire. I think fighting will continue as tension mounts,” Khu Daniel continued.
In Karenni State, the military council conducted 182 airstrikes—two in 2021 and 182 in 2022. The clashes destroyed 482 houses in 2021 and 828 in 2022 and 19 vehicles in 2021 and 39 in 2022, according to the list compiled by the PKPF.
The PKPF is compiling the lists by making field trips in Karenni State and affiliating with those involved in the fighting.
Since the coup, there have been clashes between the military council and a combined force of the Karenni Army (KA), the Karenni Nationalities Defence Force (KNDF), the Demoso People’s Defense Force (DMO-PDF), the Loikaw PDF, the Mobye PDF, the Pekhon PDF, the Phruso PDF, the Bawlakhe PDF and the Karenni Revolution Union (KRU) and other armed revolutionary organizations.
Sent by Naw Dway Eh Khu (Kantarawaddy Times)