More fighting between junta, KIA forces in northern Myanmar

By DMG 29 Jan 2022

DMG Newsroom
29 January 2022, Myitkyina, Kachin State

Fighting between a coalition led by the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) and the Myanmar military has been ongoing in the country’s north in recent days, according to local sources.

The hostilities follow the release of a statement by the KIA’s political wing, the Kachin Independence Organization (KIO), on January 26, in which the ethnic armed group said it would try to refrain from fighting along the China-Myanmar border ahead of the Chinese New Year, at the request of Beijing. 

Clashes broke out between the KIA-led coalition forces and the Myanmar military on January 27 and 28, some ways south of the border with China.

A source close to the KIA told DMG that three clashes took place in Pinwel village, a location between Hmawlu and Nantsiaung villages in Indaw Township, Sagaing Region, and Nyaunggon village in Mohnyin Township, Kachin State.

“A coalition group attacked a convoy of military vehicles carrying food items from Sagaing Region to Kachin State with landmines,” the source said.

The military convoy, which was described as consisting of some 50 vehicles, was hit by landmines at a bridge that serves as an entry/exit point to Hopin town in Mohnyin Township, according to locals.

A resident of Hopin, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said that following the landmine attack, passenger bus services were disrupted for about half an hour due to retaliatory heavy artillery fire by junta forces.

A politician who asked for anonymity said the KIO’s call for protection of civilians, which it made in its January 26 statement, was seeking a moderate reduction in the military council’s operations.

“The current political situation between the Myanmar military and the ethnic coalition is fragile. In such a situation, mostly civilians are affected. That, in turn, could lead to a slight reduction in military activity. However, in the current situation, both sides have not seen any concessions,” the politician said.