According to the Naypyidaw Military Command Headquarters, during the 33-day battles in Thandaunggyi Township, Karen State, and Yedashe Township, Bago Region, 78 military council soldiers, including Deputy Battalion Commander Thein Than, were killed, and 3 soldiers defected. The conflict began on January 29 when revolutionary allied forces besieged the military council camp at Shan Lay Pin in Thandaunggyi Township. On February 7, when over 30 reinforcement troops from the Kyaukdaga military council camp attempted to reach the besieged camp, they were intercepted by Naypyidaw Military Command Battalion 806, KNLA Brigade 2 Special Battalion, and KNDO Unit 4.
During this engagement, 16 military council soldiers, including Deputy Battalion Commander Thein Than from Infantry Battalion 29, were killed, and various small arms and ammunition were captured. Between March 1 and March 30, continuous battles occurred in Pyinmana, Yeni, and Northern Thandaunggyi areas, with the military council forces conducting airstrikes and heavy artillery attacks. During these battles, some military council casualties were caused by friendly fire from their own air forces’ misguided strikes. The fighting involved troops from Military Division 88 sent from Naypyidaw, along with Naypyidaw Military Command Battalions 901, 804, 807, 808 RTC columns, Northern Thandaunggyi Special Region forces, and KNDO troops.
Throughout the period, there were six major battles and numerous smaller engagements. During the clearing operations in the battle areas, 62 military council soldiers’ bodies were recovered along with various weapons and ammunition. Over 100 military council soldiers were wounded in the fighting. Three military council soldiers defected to the resistance forces, bringing with them two weapons and some ammunition. Despite the military council’s announcement of a ceasefire, ground operations continue with troop reinforcements, ground attacks, artillery fire, drone strikes, and aerial bombardments occurring daily in these areas.
