The Military Council has been attacking Karenni State with large numbers of troops for two weeks and the battle area is expanding.

The fighting, which started on February 15, continued until March 4. Loikaw PDF reports that the clashes reached Pu Phar Village, Demoso Township, from Nan Mai Khon through Moebye township.

"There was a battle in Pupha. The fighting has intensified near that village,” a KNDF official said.

The Military Council is heading from Moebye to Dimso with roughly 500 soldiers in three divisions. In addition, armoured vehicles, long-range missiles, and a helicopter accompany the soldiers.

"I'm not sure what kind of long-range rocket it is. It is brand new. The car helped to shoot from behind. They also fired artillery shells from their bases," a KNDF official explained.

People’s Defence Forces under the banner of the Loikaw-PDF, KA, KNDF, Demoso-PDF and other allied forces along with the Central Command are fighting together 24 hours a day.

He further said that the number of casualties on both sides was still being tallied and that he did not want to release it. According to the Loikaw PDF, there were few injuries amongst the Karenni coalition forces in the subsequent clashes.

The number of refugees has also increased in the last two weeks, rising from 170,000 to more than 200,000. "It can be said that almost 300,000 people in total have fled. There is no place to live in Kayah State (Karenni State). There is nowhere to hide," said a KNDF official.

The majority of the refugees have fled to the forests. They are also fleeing to the mountains, and some have fled from Karenni State to other states or over the border into Thailand.

"We require food, shelter, and medicine. There are insufficient supplies here. There is no treatment. There is a food shortage in some refugee camps,” a KNDF official said.

As the number of refugees grows, so does the need for People's Defense Force fighters. Therefore, people should help and support the resistance, the Loikaw PDF said in an announcement.