The Karenni Nationalities Defense Force (KNDF) gave control of Karenni State’s Daw Ngan Kha Village, in Demoso Township when airstrikes and rocket attacks on the village by the Military Council forced them to retreat on 13 March, according to a KNDF officer.

A KNDF spokesman said: "We were forced to step back there because of heavy artillery fire.”

Some KNDF fighters were seriously injured in the fighting. However, he said he did not want to give further details as the fighting was still ongoing.

The fighting, which began on 15 February in Moebye, has spread to other areas and there has been fierce fighting for almost a month.

On 23 February the KNDF were also forced to give up control of Nang Mae Khon Village in the western part of Dimawso.

“The Military Council will likely suffer more casualties in the future. They have the advantages of heavy weapons and airstrikes. On the ground they have had many casualties and they are growing weak”, the KNDF spokesman added.

There has been ongoing heavy artillery shelling in Demoso Township’s Daw Ngan Kha and Mya Lae villages since the night of 12 to 13 March.