Introduction
Capital of Kayah State, Myanmar
Capital City in Kayah State, MyanmarLoikaw
လွိုင်ကော်မြို့LwègawCapital CityLoikawLocation in MyanmarCoordinates: 19°40′27″N 97°12′34″E / 19.67417°N 97.20944°E / 19.67417; 97.20944Country MyanmarRegionKayah StateDistrictLoikawTownshipLoikawGovernment • MayorU Saw Hue Hue (USDP)Area • Total10.3 sq mi (27 km2)Elevation2,900 ft (884 m)Population (2019) • Total59,450 • Density5,770/sq mi (2,230/km2)Time zoneUTC+6.30 (MMT)
Loikaw (Burmese: လွိုင်ကော်မြို့, MLCTS: lwuing kau mrui., pronounced [lwàɪ(ŋ)kɔ̀ mjo̰]) is the largest city and the capital of Karenni State, in Myanmar. It is located in the Karen Hills area, near the State's northern tip, just above an embayment on the Pilu River. The inhabitants are mostly Kayah, Kayaw, Kayan (Karenni). Myanmar's largest hydropower plant (built by the Japanese as war reparation) is located about 20 km (12 mi) east of Loikaw at Lawpita Falls.
The town of Loikaw comprises 13 urban wards, namely Naungya, Daw-ukhu, Mainglon, Mingala, Dhammayon, Zaypaing, Shwetaung, Landama, Dawtanma, Dawnoeku, Shansu, and Minsu wards.
History
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Landscape of Loikaw in 1922. The bridges appear flimsy, but were substantial enough that elephants could walk over them.
Loikaw was the Headquarters of the Political Officer in Charge of the Karenni States, part of the Princely States of British Burma, in 1922 during British rule in Burma. The town was located in the only flat part of the Karenni area. In 1892 it numbered four huts. As an Agent of the British government he was exercising control over the local Karenni Rulers, being supervised by the Superintendent at Taunggyi. The headquarters of the American Baptist Mission to Hill Karens was also located in Loikaw.
As with the rest of Karenni State, outsider access to Loikaw has been restricted post-independence, with special permits required to secure entry. Since the 2021 coup, Loikaw has been the scene of intense fighting between the Burmese military and ethnic armed groups opposed to military control, forcing many of the city's residents to flee. On 7 November 2023, the Karenni National People's Liberation Front, Karenni Army, and Karenni Nationalities Defence Force launched a military offensive known as Operation 1107 against the ruling State Administration Council junta. An additional offensive, known as Operation 1111, started on 11 November 2023 with the aim of capturing Loikaw. By 18 December, anti-junta forces were reported to have control of 85% of the city.
