In Mobye town of Pekon Township, Karenni State, fierce fighting erupted when approximately 100 troops from the military council’s Infantry Battalion 422 launched an offensive into the town around 5 AM on April 19. According to the information officer from Southern Shan State Military Region’s Strategic Command-1 PDF, revolutionary forces engaged in defensive operations against the advancing military troops. The battle involved both direct combat and drone warfare between the two sides.
The intense fighting lasted over two hours until around 8 AM, resulting in at least 15 military council soldiers being severely wounded, forcing them to retreat to their battalion base. Following the battle, the military council conducted airstrikes in the area, preventing revolutionary forces from conducting ground clearance operations. As a result, the exact number of military casualties could not be immediately confirmed, according to the official.
The defensive operation was carried out by a coalition of revolutionary forces including the Shan-Karenni Military Region, Southern Shan State Military Region Strategic Command-1, Karenni National Defense Force (KNDF), and other allied forces. During the battle, two revolutionary fighters were wounded, and one drone was lost. The revolutionary forces have appealed to supporters both inside and outside the country for assistance in replacing the destroyed drone as quickly as possible.
Due to the possibility of renewed fighting in the Mobye area at any time, revolutionary forces have advised local residents to thoroughly check the ground situation before traveling through Mobye town. The military council frequently conducts offensive operations in the region and often employs airstrikes, making it necessary for local civilians to exercise extreme caution. The revolutionary forces emphasized the importance of gathering accurate information about the security situation before any travel through the area, as the military council’s aggressive tactics pose ongoing risks to civilian safety.
