[13] Since 1949, ethnic Karenni militias have waged a low-level insurgency in Myanmar's Kayah State, where they make up the majority of the population.

While intense clashes broke out between 2010 and 2012, they died down for the most part after democratic leader Aung San Suu Kyi was elected.

[15][16] Fighting still continued in nearby villages throughout July, and in August, Karenni militias and local PDF allied together in favor of the National Unity Government of Myanmar.

[17] On 3 December, junta troops blocked off the road between Loikaw, Demoso, and Bawlakhe, in anticipation of a battle with the KNDF-PDF.

[18] The official also claimed that the junta was preparing for an offensive, and part of the reason the roads were blocked was to root out possible KNDF fighters or supporters.

[19] On 18 December, Konna was burnt down during a battle between the KNDF and junta, and parts of the village of Naunglong were set ablaze as well.

[26] Residents of Loikaw claimed that "there was nowhere to flee", and the offensive caused half of Kayah State to become internally displaced.

In Pankan, fierce battles between the KNDF and junta troops caused the deaths of two civilians who couldn't be evacuated in time.

[25][28] In the fighting on 8 January, the KNDF claimed 30 junta soldiers were killed, including a major, and one tank and one helicopter was damaged.

[28] After the clashes on 8 January, the junta retreated back into villages closer to Shan state and Demoso township.

[31] While there were no air raids over Loikaw on 11 January, tensions between KDF, KNDF, and PDF against the 250-man garrison of junta troops was high.

[35] The KNDF claimed on 13 January that during a battle at Minelon Technical University, several junta soldiers were killed and there was nobody to pick up the casualties.

[41] The NGO that discovered them stated that intense fighting was taking place in Myung Ward and in the six-mile village near Loikaw.

[44] On 7 February, a KNDF ambush killed seven junta troops in Kayeng Thayar, in eastern Loikaw township.