| Conflict: | Operation 1111 |
| Partof: | the Myanmar civil war |
| Date: | 11 November 2023 – present |
| Place: | Loikaw, Kayah State and surroundings |
| Territory: |
|
| Status: | Ongoing |
| Combatant2: | Karenni ethnic armed organizations led by the Karenni State Interim Executive Council |
| Commander1: | Brig. Gen. Aye Min Naung (commander of the 44th Light Infantry Division) |
| Commander2: |
|
| Units1: | Tatmadaw
|
| Units2: |
|
| Strength1: | 2,000 in Loikaw (July 2024)[3] |
| Strength2: | Unknown |
| Casualties1: | 300+ killed, 63 captured (per anti-junta forces)(December 2023)[4] [5] |
| Casualties2: | 608+ killed (July 2024)[6] |
| Casualties3: | 500+ civilians killed and 350,000 internally displaced |
Operation 1111 (Burmese: ၁၁၁၁ စစ်ဆင်ရေး) is an ongoing military operation in Myanmar launched by Karenni Ethnic Armed Organisations (EAOs) including the Karenni Army (KA), Karenni Nationalities Defence Force (KNDF) and Karenni National People's Liberation Front (KNPLF). The operation was launched concurrently with Operation 1107, with the goal to capture Kayah State's capital city of Loikaw.[7]
Around 35,000 people have reportedly been displaced due to the recent fighting in Kayah state. Tatmadaw troops have reacted to the offensive by erecting roadblocks in and around Loikaw., fighting is ongoing.[8]
The first Karenni concurrent operation that was announced were Operation 1107, with fighting reported in places like Mese outside Loikaw.[9] With pretty quickly afterwards Operation 1111 was announced for Loikaw.[10] [7] However that was in November 2023.
By February-March most sources were already using Operation 1111,[11] [12] [13] though the Washington Post used the "The battle for Loikaw" for operation 1111 and "October offensive" for Operation 1027.[14]
As of June-July 2024 most sources seem to have defaulted to using exclusively Operation 1111 for all Kayah/Karenni State related fighting.[15] [16] [17] [18] With pro-Tatmadaw sources just using generic terms to describe the karenni fighters as "terrorists".[19]
What is also noteworthy is the sources keep using Operation 1111 for the fighting in Kayah since November 2023, when earlier there were articles for separate battles of Loikaw for the separate bouts of fighting, like Battle of Loikaw (2021) and Battle of Loikaw (2022).
Loikaw has been described as the military's nerve center for Kayah State. Its loss could jeopardize the regime's control of much of Kayah State. Loikaw has been the site of multiple battles during the civil war: first a battle in 2021 that ended in a ceasefire, then another battle in January-February 2022 that ended inconclusively.
Before the start of the 2023 battle, the junta had two battalions deployed there to defend the city.[20]
Starting at 4:00am on 11 November, KNDF and KA forces started attacking military bases around Loikaw in an operation dubbed "Operation 1111". The coalition forces captured seven military bases and shot down an aircraft.[21] [7]
By 13 November, the Karenni Nationalities Defence Force (KNDF) claimed it had taken several positions of the Tatmadaw. It was also reported that 16 civilians had died in the fighting by that time. The Irrawaddy reported that "volunteers estimate that around 35,000 people—including people displaced by previous conflicts—need to evacuate from Loikaw as a result of the recent fighting. The town is usually home to 50,000 residents. The capital is also the junta’s key stronghold and center of administrative control in Kayah State."[22]
By 15 November, there were reports of heavy fighting in Loikaw, with many civilians still trapped in their homes amid the ongoing fighting.[23] More than 34 civilians were killed, and 50 were injured in Loikaw from retaliatory strikes from the junta's forces. During the fighting, 110 junta soldiers were killed with 38 surrendering.[24]
By 18 November, the EAOs further gained control in Loikaw, including the Loikaw District Court and Loikaw University. The groups took 38 prisoners of war, who surrendered after the rebels cornered them before any air support could arrive. It was reported the number of displaced civilians had reached 40,000 and at least 50 dead.[20] [2]
On 22 November it was reported that 315+ fighters and civilians on both sides had died during the first 10 days of Operation 1111 and that 100,800 people had been in displaced Kayah state, with 40,000 of those from Loikaw. The KNDF claimed to have taken further outposts from the Tatmadaw.[1] The fighting had reached the downtown of Loikaw by 23 November.[25] In an interview with The Irrawaddy on 28 November, the KNDF's deputy commander-in-chief Marwi claimed that the rebels already controlled 80% of Kayah state and had surrounded Loikaw, where an interim Karenni government was being established.[26] [27] With its ground forces in Kayah State weakened, on 29 November, the junta began to resort to airstrikes against Loikaw. In a report to the State Administration Council, Chairman Min Aung Hlaing claimed that the Tatmadaw had retaken the city, but these claims were denied the following day by Marwi.[28]
Lin Lin, a leader of the People's Defence Force in Kayah, stated that most of his fighters had been motivated to take Loikaw as they are from the city and wanted to return to their homes; while reporting that the Tatmadaw was on the defensive. On 2 December, KNDF chairman Khun Bedu reported that the Tatmadaw had retreated to the city police station.[29] By this time, the military regime's administration was reportedly no longer functional in the city. Loikaw’s Naung Yar and Daw Au Khu residential wards saw ongoing clashes and rebel forces claimed to have captured 50 soldiers and several weapons and ammunition.[30]
On the 9th, Pyu Township was also reported to be under attack by insurgents. Pekon Township that neighbors Kayah State, but is in Shan State is also seeing fighting, with Demoso and Loikaw continuing seeing combat.[31]
On 10 December, the KNDF took control of the main police headquarters in Loikaw.[32]
On 11 December the Irrawaddy stated "The regime’s Regional Command Center, Loikaw General Hospital, Nursing and Midwife School, the State Government Office and some religious buildings are still occupied by junta troops, according to resistance forces."[5] By 18 December, anti-junta forces were reported to have control of 85% of Loikaw.[33]
As of December 15, fighting in Mobye is continuing, the insurgents claim to have taken 75% of the town. At least 5 civilians were reported to have been killed as a result of the fighting, with much of the town abandoned by the civilians. The casualties of fighting in Mobye include 11 Tatmadaw and 9 Insurgents soldiers killed.[34]
On 7 January, the Karenni rebel forces launched an offensive against Pekon. By the following day, they had captured the police station, as well as state and government offices, bringing most of the city under their control. More than two-thirds of the town's population fled the fighting. Ko Banyar additionally reported that fighting was continuing in towns throughout the state.[35]
Mawchi has fallen to Karenni forces as of 29 January. Mawchi was taken by Karenni Nationalities Defense Force, which is an effort towards Taungoo where Karen National Union is already fighting. Thus the efforts in Kayah and Bago are linked. Fighting was reported in Mobye, Demoso and Loikaw. With 2/3 of Loikaw controlled by the Karenni forces.[36] On 29 January, KNLA and PDF forces shot down a Tatmadaw Eurocopter AS365 with machine guns, sniper rifles, and RPGs as it was landing. Brigadier General Aye Min Naung of the 44th Light Infantry Division and the pilot were among the five recorded casualties.[37]
In February 2024, reports emerged that the Karenni resistance fight for Loikaw city was stalling. Life was continuing in the outskirts of Loikaw while the downtown area was depopulated. With markets, farming, small businesses opening in area's on the outskirts. During this time the KNDF was consolidating control over much of Kayah since the Tatmadaw were sending reinforcements to Loikaw from elsewhere in Kayah. [38] This while the Karenni resistance were still urging civilians not to return to Loikaw during the fighting.[39]
The Irrawaddy reported in July 2024, that the offensive to take Loikaw had seen little progress since the Karenni took the Loikaw University.[40]
This is while in March of 2024, Al Jazeera brought an counter estimate on how much of Loikaw the Karenni forces actually control, stating "About half the city, controlled by the military since the coup, is now in the hands of the Karenni resistance". While saying that the fighting in Kayah was escalating. With Demoso, Mese, Shadaw and Ywar Thit fully in Karenni control. Khu Reedu being the commander who took Shadaw for the Karennis. With Shadaw having seen harsh fighting. Khu Reedu claimed Tatmadaw took 180 casualties dead, while the Karenni only 9 in the fight for Shadaw with 6 civilians dead.[41]
While there were reports of fighting in Pasaung. Al Jazeera also reporting that Tatmadaw are increasingly using military planes to bombard Karenni positions.[42] In June Channel 4 meanwhile reported the reported the Karenni were using customized drones to fight the military.[43]
Karenni forces captured Hpasawng and most of Hpasawng Township on 14 March.[44] On 4 May, Karenni forces launched an offensive on the last remaining junta forces in Hpasawng Township, killing 20 junta soldiers.[45]
On 29 May it was reported the Karenni were putting up intense resistance at several points of the route to Loikaw the Military is taking.[46] During 30 May 2024 the Irrawaddy reported the Tatmadaw has mounted an advance towards Loikaw. In addition saying the Karenni control 80% of Loikaw, thus meaning the control has increased from 2/3 to 4/5 of Loikaw since January (see above). With the Tatmadaw force being at Kayan Tha Yar with the direction towards at the capital, while stating fighting in Loikaw itself was continuing daily.[47] By 3 June, the 500 soldier column had reached the Loikaw-Mobye-Hsi Hseng intersection, known as the Kayantharyar intersection.[48]
During june 22, it got reported that Tatmadaw has lost military bases in Mobye, Demoso, Shadaw, Ywar Thit, Nammekon, Mawchi and Mese since the start of the operation.[49]
On 1 July, junta forces began attacking KNDF positions south of Pinlaung, attempting to relieve the Karenni siege on Pekon.[50]
The Irrawaddy reported on 8 July that fighting is intensifying after reinforcements of 500 troops had arrived to help the already stationed 1,500 Tatmadaw troops.[51] The Atlas News reported that the reinforcing column had managed to take some initial territory around Loikaw after arriving there. Incl. via using infiltration tactics, by sending in soldiers into the rebel held area dressed as civilians to do reconnaissance for the Tatmadaw. With the reinforced Tatmadaw advancing towards Loikaw University. While the Karenni were reported to lack ammunition and thus making defending the area harder. With the military regime claiming to have opened schools in previously contested areas of Loikaw. In light of this Karenni forces regrouped and announced an counter attack amidst this fighting on 4th of July.[52]
By mid July in Hpasawng Township, there has been reports of fresh intense fighting, incl. Karenni claims of poisoned gas use by Tatmadaw against the resistance fighters.[53] Meanwhile in Loikaw, pro-Tatmadaw sources confirm fighting in Loikaw, Pekhon and Mobye. In addition it claims Tatmadaw progress in the direction of Loikaw University.[54] Chinaview reported the junta had intercepted a weapons shipment into Kayah State.[55] In Loikaw itself, Karenni State Interim Executive Council where moving museum artefacts into safety from the fighting. The Irrawaddy stating the Tatmadaw has forced the Karenni on the retreat in parts of Loikaw.[56]
By end of July, there emerged reports that soldiers had started setting civilian houses alight with intent. With Hmainglone, Ywardanshae, Htudungantha, Loikaw Technological University and Myakalat Mountain areas of Loikaw city seeing fighting.The Military is recommending civilians return to Loikaw, while KNDF recommends they do not due to the fighting.[57]
In early August it were reported that Tatmadaw had secured Loikaw, including much of it's rural township, according to Tatmadaw claims and civilian reports.[58] KNDF states there are daily clashes around Loikaw including for the control of Loikaw-Demoso Union Highway.[59] There are reports of Karenni advances as well, with Bawlakhe and Mae Salong falling to the resistance fighters.[60] While Myanmar Peace Monitor reported 608 Karenni fighters, 514 civilians had been killed since the 2021 coup.[61]
Fighting around Mobye has also intesified, including damaging a nearby dam that has led to flooding in parts of Demoso, Mobye and Loikaw.[62]
In early March it was reported that most homes of those who fled the fighting had been looted in Loikaw.[63] There were also reports of trials of Loikaw University personnel for having colluded with the regime, including Loikaw University Rector U Aung Khin Myint.[63] [64] Karenni State Interim Executive Council has begun to consolidate control over parts of Kayah State.[20]
By July 2024, it was reported that the Karenni State Police where attempting to deal with sex crimes.[65]
Since the start of the operation, more than 80% of the state's population has been internally displaced. The group Progressive Karenni People reported that the junta had destroyed "46 religious buildings, 22 schools, 14 hospitals and 2,281 homes" in the state since 1 January 2024. Ko Banyar reported that more than 500 people have been killed in the shelling.[66]
In a statement released in August 2024 by the UN. It stated that the level of brutality has increased, including increase of areal bombardement, including on children by the Tatmadaw and behedings of surrendered soliders in Loikaw by resistance fighters. With UN saying the increase in bombardement of civilian targets by the Tatmadaw is a sign of increased desperation amongst the Junta.[67]