Myanmar regime moves Regional Military Command HQ to Karenni amid escalation signals

What happened

The Karenni Interim Executive Council (IEC), a provisional government established in Karenni State in June 2023, told DVB that the Myanmar regime’s Eastern Central Regional Military Command (RMC) headquarters has been relocated from Kholam town in Shan State to Loikaw Township, the capital of Karenni State. IEC Secretary-2 Banyar Aung interpreted the move as a sign the military intends to escalate its counteroffensive in Karenni State.

Outside Brief is treating this as a source-led account. Any disputed responsibility, casualty figure, battlefield claim or single-source assertion should be treated as unconfirmed/hearsay unless confirmed by another reliable source or a named official. According to the IEC, regime forces are also seeking to strengthen their defense along the corridor connecting Naypyidaw and southern Shan State, which borders Karenni. This area is strategically important because Naypyidaw, Myanmar’s capital, lies roughly 152 miles west of Loikaw, and Tatkon Township in Naypyidaw shares a border with Pinlaung Township in southern Shan State.

A resistance member operating along the southern Shan–Karenni corridor, speaking anonymously to DVB, suggested the military might step up ground attacks after the end of the rainy season. The IEC explained that the Regional Operations Command headquarters in Loikaw was repurposed to serve as the Eastern Central RMC headquarters on an unspecified date. The original Eastern Central RMC HQ was established in Kholam in Shan State’s Nansang Township in 2011.

Known from the source

• The Eastern Central Regional Military Command headquarters has been relocated from Kholam town in Shan State to Loikaw Township, Karenni State, according to the Karenni Interim Executive Council.
• The Eastern Central RMC was originally established in Kholam in Shan State’s Nansang Township in 2011.
• The Karenni resistance seized multiple towns south of Loikaw during an offensive launched on November 11, 2023, but lost control of Demoso and Hpasawng to regime forces.
• Regime forces currently control Hpruso, Bawlakhe, Loikaw, Demoso, and Hpasawng townships in Karenni State.
• At least 12 civilians, including six children, were reportedly killed in recent drone attacks and airstrikes attributed to the Myanmar Air Force in Karenni last month.

What remains unclear

Conflict in Karenni continues to impose severe civilian harms. DVB reports at least 12 civilians, including six children, have been killed by "suicide" drone attacks and airstrikes attributed to the Myanmar Air Force in Karenni last month, although independent verification is pending. Additionally, a UAV strike reportedly killed five Karenni Nationalities Defence Force members in Hpruso Township on September 17. The Karenni resistance, under operation code-named “Operation 1111,” had gained control of multiple towns south of Loikaw but recently lost Demoso and Hpasawng to regime forces. Current control map indicates regime presence in Hpruso, Bawlakhe, Loikaw, Demoso, and Hpasawng.

What remains unclear: Confirm whether the central claim is corroborated; until then treat it as unconfirmed/hearsay. Exact date when the Eastern Central Regional Military Command headquarters was relocated to Loikaw. Independent verification of casualty figures from recent drone attacks and airstrikes. Confirmation of responsibility for the UAV and airstrike attacks reported in Karenni State.

Evidence note

This story contains report-led claims. The article keeps those claims attributed and treats them as unconfirmed/hearsay unless independently corroborated.

Original source: DVB English. Open the source.