The Kachin Independence Army (KIA) has blocked two sections of the Karmaing-Hpakant Road near Kyaukhtu and Gawtlwngyang since 23 August, according to locals and sources close to the KIA.
The road blockade by the ethnic army came after it clashed with Myanmar army troops on the two sections of the road on 22 August, preventing military council troops stationed in Namya village from advancing to Hpakant, said a local resident close to the KIA.
“We heard that the junta troops stationed in Namya are renting vehicles to march again to Hpakant. I think the KIA found out and blocked the road today so no one can pass,” he said.
After the 22 August clashes, the regime’s army had closed the Namya military checkpoint to trucks and passenger busses heading to Hpakant. It was reopened on the morning of 23 August, locals said.
However, after the KIA closed the road, vehicles became stuck on the two sections of road, leading to an increase in the price of goods in Hpakant.
“This morning I saw vendors selling vegetables on motorcycles come back empty-handed because no trucks came in. And then the price of a bottle of cooking oil went up from 9,000 kyats yesterday to 12,000 kyats this morning,” he said.
During the clashes between the two sides on 22 August, a heavy artillery shell fired from the strategic hill in Namya landed and exploded near the house of a Namya resident, injuring a 35-year-old woman sitting on the verandah, a Namya resident said.
Currently, residents of Namya, Hsenghpayar, Pyarohn, Tadarnyinawng and Khunsaizup villages along the Phakant road have been forced to flee to safety due to the ongoing military tension between the two sides.
In response to being intercepted by KIA soldiers near Kyaukhtu village on 22 August, the Myanmar army fired artillery indiscriminately from the Namya base throughout the day, according to Namya villagers.
Sent by KNG.