Myanmar’s junta has fought on average 11 daily clashes with Karen resistance forces and lost nine troops per day in the past two years, according to the Karen National Union (KNU).
By February 1, 8,038 clashes broke out in KNU territory in Bago and Tanintharyi regions and Mon and Karen states, the country’s oldest rebel armed group said on Thursday.
An estimated 6,876 junta troops were killed and 5,515 injured, the KNU claimed.
It said 219 resistance fighters had been killed and 605 injured.
The Irrawaddy could not independently verify the reports.
Since the regime slaughtered hundreds of peaceful anti-coup demonstrators nationwide in early 2021, the KNU has been conducting military training and armed several thousand activists to fight the junta.
The KNU’s armed wings, the Karen National Liberation Army and Karen National Defense Organizations, have escalated campaigns alongside newly formed resistance groups.
The KNU reported 5,638 clashes in Brigade 5’s territory in Mutraw District, Karen State, in which 2,760 regime troops were killed and 2,340 injured.
The KNU’s Brigade 1 reported 801 clashes in its Mon State territory and Hpa-an Township in neighboring Karen State.
It said 1,526 regime forces were killed and 1,342 injured. KNU Brigade 6 reported 666 clashes in Doopalaya District, Karen State, in which 1,220 soldiers were killed and 994 injured.
In late December and early January, the Karen rebel group began raiding and occupying junta battalion headquarters and regime-controlled administrative departments in Kyainseikgyi and Kawkareik townships, Karen State.
KNU spokesman Padoh Saw Taw Nee told The Irrawaddy last month that they would expand attacks beyond the group’s territory, including the resistance stronghold of Sagaing Region.
