At least five civilians were killed and seven others were injured in airstrikes carried out by the Myanmar Air Force in Karenni State’s Hpasawng Township, located 73 miles (33-117 km) south of the state capital Loikaw, on Tuesday. 

“Airstrikes targeted a lead mining site where residents were living,” Banyar Aung, the Karenni State Interim Executive Council (IEC) secretary 2, told DVB.

Sources in Hpasawng’s Mawchi town stated that the regime counteroffensive has been on hold, following the recapture of neighboring Hpasawng town from the Karenni resistance, since Feb. 15. 

Mines in Mawchi, located 92 miles (148 km) south of Loikaw, are a “vital” revenue stream for the resistance since it was seized by the Karenni Nationalities Defence Force (KNDF) in 2024.

Mawchi residents told DVB that regime forces have been conducting reconnaissance missions over lead and tungsten mines using Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), or drones, since April. 

At least 889 residents have been killed and 41 people have been “arbitrarily” detained by regime forces in Karenni since the 2021 military coup, the Progressive Karenni People Force (PKPF) reported on Sept. 1. 

Karenni’s Hpasawng, Demoso, Hpruso, Bawlakhe and Loikaw towns are under regime control. 

Mawchi, Mese and Shadaw towns have been under Karenni resistance control since they launched a statewide offensive on Nov. 11, 2023.