Karenni rebels are claiming to have captured about 60 Myanmar troops, including a battalion commander, during recent clashes in Myanmar and to have seized eight bases of the Myanmar force, according to informed sources in the Karenni National Progressive Party (KNPP).

The sources say that Myanmar’s forces conducted air raids using MiG-29 fighters on several Karenni bases and villages, causing civilian casualties and forcing many to flee across the border to seek shelter in Thailand’s northernmost province of Mae Hong Son.

The sources claim, however, that the rebels had counter-attacked with adapted drones, which were previously used for agricultural purposes.

According to the Thai border command centre, 4,876 Karenni civilians had taken refuge in four shelters in Mae Sariang district by July 1^st.