The Karen National Union (KNU) sources have confirmed that the military council forces launched suicide drone attacks near the residence of General Saw Johnny, Chief of Staff of the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA), within KNU’s Brigade 7 territory. On March 18 at 3:00 AM, three suicide drones launched by the military council forces struck near the Chief of Staff’s residence in Brigade 7 territory, though no casualties or property damage were reported from the incident.
Providing details about the drone attack, KNU sources explained that three consecutive drone bombs caused ground-shaking explosions in the area. The bombs struck near a waterfront location, near a football field, and close to the Chief of Staff’s residence. The military council forces targeted the KNU Brigade 7 headquarters, and the explosions were reportedly more powerful than previous attacks. The source noted that the ground trembled from the impact of the explosions, though fortunately no injuries were sustained.
This attack is believed to be a retaliatory strike following the successful capture of the military council’s Pu Lu Tu camp in Paingkyon Township within KNU Brigade 7 controlled territory by KNLA-led allied forces on March 14. Sources analyze that the military council specifically targeted the KNU Brigade 7 headquarters in response to their territorial losses. It has been observed that whenever the military council faces defeats in territorial control, they typically respond with airstrikes and suicide drone attacks against civilian populations and opposition forces.
