The Myanmar junta has cut mobile phone and internet signals in townships to the east of the Thanlwin River in Karenni State amid heavy fighting in the area.

On 27 June a resident of Loikaw Township in Karenni State said: “Phone services have totally stopped this afternoon on the eastern bank of the Thanlwin River and on previous days it [mobile phone and internet service] was poor.”

Phone and internet services have been cut in Karenni State's Bawlake, Pasawng, Mawchi and Mese since noon on 27 June.

Mizzima had difficulties contacting people in the Karenni townships of Loikaw, Demose, Pekhon and Myobye on the afternoon of 27 June.

According to locals in Loikaw City at 7:30 p.m. on 27 June there were no internet connections in Loikaw and the only mobile phone service available was the military-owned Mytel service.

A spokesperson from the Karenni Nationalities Defence Force (KNDF) said to Mizzima: “Communications were cut off in conflict areas some months ago. Loikaw still has communication services, but Mese has had all telecom services cut.”

On 23 June Karenni forces captured the last junta held camp in Mese, Camp BP-13, following an offensive against all the camps in Mese township, that started on 13 June. Currently, Karenni defence forces control all of Mese Township and the junta no longer has any military camps there.