Heavy attacks are sparked by Myanmar Junta reinforcements

[ASEAN NOW Content Team]

 

Military tensions are strong in Pekon, Shan State, between Myanmar's regime and the Karenni insurgency.

The Karenni Nationalities Defense Force is being attacked by the junta (KNDF).
The operations follow a May 11 attack on a military checkpoint in Nyaung Shwe Township, Shan State, in which five junta troops, including a deputy battalion commander, were kidnapped along with weapons.

On Wednesday morning, the KNDF 3 Battalion in Pekon led resistance forces against the junta's 422 Battalion pushing to the east of the Moe Bye dam near Pekon.
According to the KNDF, artillery assistance was provided by Junta troops based in Loikaw.

During the fighting, one KNDF fighter was killed and another was badly injured.
Fresh violence is expected around Pekon at any time, according to the KNDF.

 

From Hsi Hseng, Hopong, and Moe Bye in southern Shan State, the regime is attacking the Karenni resistance to the east of the Moe Bye dam.

"To the east of Pekon is Pekon Lake.
Junta forces with armoured vehicles arrived from Hopong and Pinglong in the north, and 422 Battalion and 66 Division from Loikaw in the south.
"They're attempting to trap us east of the lake," a KNDF spokesman explained.

 

Aung Kham Hti's Pa-O National Organization (PNO) is fighting alongside junta troops.
According to witnesses, the junta is being fought by the KNDF, people's defence forces, and the Southern Shan Revolution Youth, a collaboration of five revolutionary groups.

Although there was no fighting in the village, the KNDF reported both sides may have suffered losses, and junta and PNO troops burnt Saung Nan Ke village in Pekon.
Thirty homes were reportedly destroyed by fire.

On Tuesday, Junta troops airdropped reinforcements and ammunition to Pekon, implying that the regime considers the routes unsafe.
On Wednesday morning, there was further fighting.

 

The PNO was threatened by the KNDF.

"We annihilate everybody who aids the dictatorship."
"Anyone who works with the dictatorship is our enemy," the spokesman declared.

On May 14, the Karenni State Consultative Council (KSCC) published an open letter to the PNO, Pa-O National Liberation Organization, and Pa-O people on Facebook.

 

It expressed gratitude to the Pa-O for looking after individuals fleeing Kayah State and stated that it appreciated the Pa-desire O's for peace and stability in the Pa-O Self-Administered Zone.

The Pa-O was warned in the letter to stay away from the government since it only hurts the ethnic group.

"We will intercept junta reinforcements," a KNDF spokesman warned.
It is our responsibility because junta attacks have harmed numerous villages.
We will continue to attack them, and our attacks will get more intense."