Intense fighting has broken out in the Kyaindone-Kawkareik-Aingkyi road section of Karen State, resulting in the deaths of more than 20 military council troops, according to revolutionary sources. The clashes began at 7 AM on June 18 near the Yaypu checkpoint at Seven Mile area and Aingkyi village in Kyaindone Township. The fighting remained intense until 9 AM, with artillery fire being directed from the Kyaindone area toward the battle zones.
According to revolutionary forces, around 11 AM, the military council troops from Kyaindone sent reinforcements of approximately 60 personnel and one ammunition vehicle to the Seven Mile area along the Kawkareik road. Additionally, at 8:45 AM on June 18, there were exchanges of howitzer artillery fire between Strategic Command-12 and revolutionary forces. The previous night, on June 17, military bases in Kyaindone and troops stationed at Gyaing Bridge conducted indiscriminate artillery shelling from 9 PM until 11 PM.
The intensity of the fighting has increased as the military council attempts to regain control of the Kawkareik-Aingkyi road section. In Kawkareik Township, Karen State, the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA)-led revolutionary forces have been continuously launching offensive operations against military council outposts. The current escalation is part of the ongoing resistance against the military council’s attempts to maintain control in the region. The revolutionary forces have confirmed that while they have inflicted significant casualties on the military council side, they have not reported any losses among their own ranks during these recent engagements.
