KARENNI STATE- On Christmas Day, the military council aerial-bombed Loikaw town for 34 times within a day and also used 500-pound bombs, stated the commander Phone Naing of the Karenni State Army (KA).
“On the 25th, there were at least 34 aerial bombing in just one day,” said Karenni Army (KA) Commander-in-Chief Colonel Phone Naing.
“Moreover, on December 26, the area was attacked by two planes and dropped four 500-lb bombs,” the commander continued.
Since November 11 when operation-1111 began until now, fights have between intense between the Military Council Army and the Joint Revolutionary Forces in Loikaw Township.
Due to the daily bombardment by the junta aircraft, no more residents are living on Loikaw or the traders, stated a local.
“The military council bombarded the entire Town. Firing heavy weapons almost every day. According to the neighborhood, there are still some people living in Kyi Tharyar Quarter. But in Dawukhu area, only about 2 to 10 people were left. There will only be around 10 people in each ward. There is no trading. Nothing is sold, even the medicines.” said a man from Loikaw.
Since there is no more trading in Loikaw, the remaining residents find it difficult to get medicine and consumer goods, according to locals.
Most of the houses in town were damaged due to the military airstrikes, and the list of (damaged) homes could not yet be made, said the joint revolutionary forces.
The fights in town are still intense and the military council troops arbitrarily shoot at some passers-by. Therefore, the joint revolutionary forces have warned civilians not to enter or leave the town yet. Despite the warning, some people still wander around in town and thus revolutionary forces alert and warn them again.