Mizzima

The Karen National Union (KNU) Central announced that during the nine-month period from January to September 2023, a total of 3,865 members of the Military Council, including officers, were reported to have been killed in the fighting within the territories of the KNU, in a 11 October statement.

According to reports, a total of 3,570 battles occurred between the KNLA, KNDO, and the Military Council during the afore-mentioned period. These battles resulted in over 2,000 reported injuries of Military Council personnel.

Amidst the fighting, it has been reported that 112 soldiers from the KNLA and KNDO were killed, while 399 others sustained injuries. However, the Military Council has not yet provided any confirmation or denial regarding the list of casualties released by the KNU.

The KNU territory consists of seven areas, namely: Brigade (1) in Thaton District, Brigade (2) in Taungoo District, Brigade (3) in Nyaung Le Bin District, Brigade (4) in Myeik-Dawei District, Brigade (5) in Hpapun District, Brigade (6) in Doo Playa District, and Brigade (7) in Hpa-An District.

Since the coup in February 2021, there have been daily clashes between the Military Council and the joint forces of KNLA, KNDO, and PDF in six out of the seven KNU areas. However, the Brigade (7) in Hpa-An District has not been involved in the fighting.