Myanmar’s regime has reportedly been reinforcing Karenni (Kayah) State as the first anniversary of the November 11 anti-regime offensive approaches.
The regime has been reinforcing the capital, Loikaw, which it retook in June, said a Loikaw resident.
“Around 40 vehicles full of soldiers and food arrived on the Hsihseng road. There were about 15 to 20 soldiers in each vehicle. A helicopter also landed at Loikaw Airport near the regional operations command,” he said.
Security checks have increased around the city and artillery guns have been deployed at several locations. A resident from Shansu in Loikaw reported gunfire west of the city.
A Loikaw People’s Defense Force member said junta troops are conducting reconnaissance operations.
“We have skirmished with junta surveillance patrols, sparking random shelling,” he said.
U Banyar of the Karenni State Interim Executive Council said the regime is preparing to retake lost territory, reporting southern Shan State clashes in Pekon with junta troops from Pinlaung.
“The regime is building its forces in Loikaw. It will probably move to recapture territory,” he said.
U Banyar said humanitarian aid would be required if the regime steps up airstrikes on the state.
A displaced Loikaw resident in Taunggyi, southern Shan State, said more fighting is expected in Loikaw. He recently returned to the city to collect possessions.
Another resident helping displaced people said: “Most people who returned have left after cleaning their flooded houses and taking their belongings. People are afraid of what might happen on November 11. They fear more airstrikes.”
On November 11 last year, the Karenni Army, Karenni Nationalities Defense Force and resistance allies launched Operation 1111 in Karenni State.
They seized most of Loikaw and almost 90 percent of the state. By March, the KNDF reported the seizure of seven towns and 81 junta bases.
With ammunition running low, the groups withdrew from Loikaw in June during a counteroffensive by around 2,000 junta soldiers and militia allies from Hsihseng in southern Shan State.
Karenni State is strategically located in the hills above Myanmar’s capital, Naypyitaw.
Loikaw residents estimate around 4,000 junta troops have been deployed in the city.
The city has a regional operations command, three infantry battalions, an artillery battalion, a medical corps and logistics unit.
More than 350,000 people have been displaced since Operation 1111 was launched. Around 3,000 displaced people and residents were hit by floods in September and October and need humanitarian supplies.
