The military regime is continuing its offensive to reclaim territory from resistance forces in Karenni (Kayah) State despite suffering heavy casualties, according to residents and allied resistance groups.
After recapturing Pekon and Loikaw towns, regime forces launched a pincer attack in early November to seize full control of the Pekon-Moebye-Loikaw road, supported by the junta-aligned Pa-O National Army (PNA), a Moebye resident said.
Moebye town, a strategic gateway to Karenni State on the southern border of Shan State, remains under the control of allied resistance forces.
The town is located between Pekon and Loikaw and serves as a crucial junction for routes leading to Nan Mae Khon, Demoso, and other strategic towns.
The regime has gathered troops to attack the rebel-held Light Infantry Battalion 422 base outside Moebye, the resident said.
“The regime has gathered around 500 troops in Pekon. It is trying to break through to the
Battalion 422 base, backed by shelling from artillery units in Pekon and Loikaw,” he said.
Clashes are breaking out along the road daily, a member of Pekon Township People’s Defense Force said.
Junta troops advancing from Loikaw suffered heavy casualties in a resistance ambush outside the Karenni State capital on November 26.
The regime responded with artillery strikes the following day, killing six civilians including a one-month-old infant in Pekon’s Konepaw village. Regime air and artillery strikes this month have killed at least 10 civilians and damaged numerous houses in villages east of Pekon Lake, according to the Pekon Township People’s Defense Force Battalion 2.
The Karenni Nationalities Defense Force reported on November 27 that fighting was continuing on the outskirts of Loikaw town.
The regime recaptured Loikaw town in June following a large-scale offensive involving
thousands of junta soldiers and aligned Pa-O militias.
“The regime wants to control Nan Mae Khon in a pincer movement from Pekon and Loikaw,” a Loikaw resident said. “Nan Mae Khon is just 12 km from Loikaw and is where [resistance forces] attacked [Loikaw] with 120 mm rockets during Min Aung Hlaing’s visit.”
The regime aims to retake control of the Loikaw-Hpruso-Bawlakhe-Hpasawng highway, using Loikaw as a base, said allied resistance groups and locals.
Junta boss Min Aung Hlaing vowed to recapture lost territory in Karenni State during his visit to Loikaw on September 4.
