Six junta soldiers were killed and many others were injured when they fought with Karenni defence forces in Karenni State's Demoso Township on 17 August.

A combined force of the Karenni Revolution Union (KRU) and the Demoso People's Defence Force (PDF) attacked a junta military base in Konethar Village in Demoso Township. The fighting lasted for two hours, between 4:30 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. according to the KRU.

"We actually tried to capture the garrison when we attacked it. Maybe, we killed more than six soldiers in front of us, so we had to flee before reinforcements arrived", a KRU spokesperson told Mizzima.

After suffering casualties the junta forces opened fire indiscriminately with machine guns, heavy weapons and rockets from a multiple launch rocket system (MLRS). The KRU returned fire with 81mm mortars before retreating.  One defence force soldier was injured in the fighting.

There has been frequent fighting in Demoso township in the area of Konethar Village, according to local residents.

"Today, State Administration (Council) SAC troops are in a position to reinforce themselves to fight battles. As long as the SAC are there the fighting will continue to intensify. It costs [us] to fight, so I urge people to provide as many weapons and ammunition as possible for the resistance forces", said the KRU spokesperson.

They added that if anyone wants to donate weapons or ammunition, they should get in touch using the KRU official Facebook page.