KNU announces 91 clashes in Mutraw in July

The Karen National Union (KNU) Mutraw District announced that clashes occurred continuously between the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) and the military council forces in the Mutraw District's 5th Brigade territory during the month of July, resulting in casualties on the military council's side. According to the KNU Mutraw District's statement, a total of 91 clashes took place between the KNLA's 5th Brigade and the military council forces from July 1st to 31st. The KNU stated that 23 members of the military council forces were killed and 55 were injured in these clashes. Among the deceased was a colonel from the military council, and among the injured were two deputy regimental commanders and three colonels. Furthermore, the statement indicated that KNLA forces were able to destroy five military council vehicles, and KNLA sustained only minor injuries. The KNU Mutraw District's statement mentioned that after facing difficulties during the clashes, the military council forces targeted civilian villages and livelihood areas. It was reported that the military council forces carried out 44 drone attacks, 33 airstrikes, and 18 rounds of 120mm heavy artillery fire in July. These attacks resulted in injuries to six civilians, and damage to 50 houses, one monastery, and four student dormitories, according to the KNU's release. The statement also noted that due to the military council forces' airstrikes and heavy artillery usage in the Mutraw District, local residents have been forced to flee to safer areas. The KNU has stated that these attacks are human rights violations targeting civilians.