KARENNI STATE – The Karenni Coalition announces that some entrance and exit routes into Loikaw, in the area of Gate No. 2 and Pangan Gate on the trade routes between Loikaw and Demoso, will be temporarily closed from April 10 to 30 due to the matters arising from Operation 1111 as well as security reasons.
“I heard that the closure of road started the previous day (April 8) but I’m not sure of the reason why,” said a resident of Loikaw.
The Karenni Coalition also requested the residents of the villages and village tracts of Loikaw to comply with the announcement.
“There are battles in Loikaw almost everyday. I can’t really comment on the military situation for now,” said a member of the Karenni Coalition.
Karenni Nationalities Defence Force (KNDF) announced in the last week of March that the Karenni revolutionary forces have captured seven towns: Maese, Demoso, Ywarthit, Shartaw, Mawchi, Mobye and Nanpekhon during Operation 1111 of Karenni State that started on November 11 last year.
In addition, the revolutionary forces are said to have captured 65 junta council bases and hill camps in Loikaw, Demoso, Hpasawng, Hpruso, Bawlakhe, Pekhon, Maese and Shartaw.