Local residents report that the Karenni region is experiencing severe shortages of fuel and food supplies, along with rising prices, due to military blockades and ongoing conflicts. Since early June, fighting along the Taungoo-Leiktho road has halted trade routes. Additionally, the military council has been blocking fuel and commodity shipments from Loikaw to the Karenni region, exacerbating the supply shortages in the area.
According to local residents, fuel shortages have persisted for over a week, while food items have become scarce and prices have risen significantly. Currently, chicken costs 32,000 kyats per viss, gasoline is priced at 8,500 kyats per liter, and premium diesel ranges from 9,000 to 10,000 kyats per liter. Even at these elevated prices, supplies remain insufficient to meet demand. The Taungoo-Leiktho road has been closed for more than 20 days due to ongoing conflicts.
Military council troops have been arresting and extorting money from those attempting to transport goods from Loikaw to the Karenni region, according to locals. Even small-scale traders have been arrested, with the military demanding up to 8 million kyats in ransoms. Currently, the military council is attempting to penetrate the Karenni region from various directions, including the Myeik route, and is deliberately implementing a four-cuts strategy to starve the local population, according to internally displaced persons from the Karenni region.
