Myanmar’s junta has reportedly sent around 2,000 troops to the border of Shan and Karenni states to boost security for Karenni capital, Loikaw, ahead of its planned election in December.
According to the South Shan Tactical Operation Command, junta forces and the allied Pa-O National Organization (PNO) troops have been pushing into villages east of Pekon lake, displacing many villagers from their homes.
Meanwhile, Karenni Nationalities Defence Force (KNDF) and the Pekon-based People’s Defence Force (PDF) Battalion 1006 have attacked near the Shan-Karenni border.
In November 2023, the KNDF and its allies attacked Loikaw, where a junta operations command is based. Anti-regime groups took control of about half of the city but it was recaptured last year after months of junta counteroffensives.
In November last year, the regime recaptured Pekon town. In December, it tried to retake the important 28km Loikaw-Moebye road. Another 16km road along the dam embankment links Loikaw and Moebye. Both routes were previously controlled by resistance forces.
A resistance fighter said junta troops have entered Moebye town and there has been heavy fighting.
“If Moebye falls, resistance troops will not be able to threaten Loikaw. Moebye is crucial for supplying our units. The regime will do whatever it takes to capture Moebye. If it can’t control the Moebye-Loikaw road, they will not be able to hold voting in Loikaw. Resistance forces can attack polling stations in Loikaw with 120mm launchers. When [junta boss] Min Aung Hlaing visited Loikaw last September, we fired shells around the operations command from the road. The regime will try to clear away threats near Loikaw,” he said.
PNO members, who recently completed a five-month Russian commando training program, have been fighting alongside junta forces in Yawnghwe and Pinlaung townships, reaching deep into eastern Pekon.
A resistance officer said the offensive was technologically advanced, with heavy use of artillery and drone strikes. “The junta is using many troops, precision artillery and drones. Their technology has become more sophisticated and we are taking significant daily casualties,” he said.
Resistance forces including KNDF, Kayan National Army, PDFs from southern Shan State, Pekon, Moebye and Karenni townships are fighting off the junta’s offensives.
A resident said ammunition shortages are forcing resistance groups to gradually withdraw.
“Resistance forces hold the hills overlooking the town but ammunition shortages have become a challenge to them,” he said.
