KNU announces junta troops, including column commander, suffered casualties in Donnyan battle

Photo – Seized weapons and ammunition, and bodies of junta troops. (Doo Playa District – Public Relations and Information Department) (August 3) Mizzima. The Karen National Union (KNU) announced on the evening of August 3 that in a battle in the eastern part of Donnyan, Doo Playa District, Karen State, between junta troops advancing to regain territory and resistance forces led by the KNLA, nearly an entire column of junta troops, including the column commander, suffered casualties. According to the KNU's statement, the battle took place in the eastern part of Donnyan, within the territory of the KNU's 6th Brigade in Doo Playa District. As the Infantry Battalions (IBs) 203 and 210 under Division 22 advanced with a large number of troops to regain lost territory, the KNLA's 28th Battalion, led by Lieutenant Colonel Saw Daba, and allied resistance forces engaged them. The KNU stated that during the battle, nearly an entire column of troops, including a column commander at the rank of Major from IB 203, suffered casualties, and the bodies of junta soldiers and weapons and ammunition were left on the battlefield. Furthermore, the statement indicated that the allied resistance forces led by the KNLA had seized MA-1, MA-2, MA-3 rifles, GPG rifles, MA machine guns, 755 rounds of MA ammunition, 60mm mortar shells, Inaka bombs, GPG rounds, and other weapons and ammunition. Mizzima has not yet been able to independently confirm the extent of the junta troops' casualties in this battle. The KNU's statement also added that the junta is using the conscription law to forcibly recruit young people and send them to the front lines. It also urged those serving in the military against their will to surrender to the nearest resistance forces to protect their lives and futures.