An interview with Colonel Naw Bu, Spokesperson of Kachin Independence Organization/ Kachin Independence Army (KIO/KIA), about the capture of nearly 60 military camps by the KIA and allied forces.
The KIA and allied forces have captured the military council’s strategically important military bases along the Myitkyina-Bhamo- Lwegel road in Kachin State.
Between 7 to 31 March, the KIA and allied forces captured nearly 60 military bases. Military tensions remain high in Lwegel on the Kachin-China border, locals said.
Network Media Group (NMG) interviewed Colonel Naw Bu, Spokesperson of the KIO/KIA, about how militarily important are the camps occupied by the KIA and allied forces? And what is the military situation on the ground?
Q: What is the situation of the current fighting between the two armies on the Lwegel -Bhamo road section?
A: Fighting took place on 27, 28 and 29 between Lwegel and Bhamo. The important military camp is Yaw Yung. We have captured Yaw Yung camp. We have taken control of seven frontline camps near Yaw Yung and Seinlong. So, we have seized control of the camps between Lwegel and Bhamo. It is not possible for the military council’s troops to go from Lwegel to Bhamo using the road. This is a significant one.
Q: How many camps have you captured between Bhamo and Lwegel?
A: We have captured seven camps so far.
Q: How important is Yaw Yung camp?
A: It is important. It is a strategic hilltop camp for Lwegel. It also provides security for the road that goes to Lwegel and Bhamo. In addition, it is a strategically important hilltop camp that threatens our Mai Ja Yang. Looking back at the history, all our revolutionary groups collectively attacked Yaw Yung camp. Sometimes we were stationed there when the military abandoned it. In turn, the military was stationed there when we abandoned it. We attacked the camp once in 1984-85 and once in 1990s.
Q: I would also like to know the latest situation of Lwegel.
A: The KIA doesn’t capture Lwegel. There is no fighting there. It operates as usual. The military council’s troops and civil servants are performing their duties as usual. The situation remains unchanged there.
Q: Locals say that there are negotiations with the KIA in order that the staff under the military council in Lwegel can leave the town. Is that true?
A: I have not heard that.
Q: Another point is that how many military camps have the KIA captured since 7 March to date?
A: We have captured around 56-58 camps in total. The main point is they are hilltop camps along Myitkyina-Bhamo road and Lwegel-Bhamo road. Among the captured camps are Nahpaw and Laisin in Laiza.
Q: How are the fighting on Bhamo-Myitkyina road? What is the situation on the ground?
A: There is almost no ground fighting. However, the military council is conducting airstrikes. For instance, the junta bombarded Myo Thit and Kone Law on 31 March. However, fighting is taking place on all road sections of Bhamo-Myitkyina-Lwegel. Those places have become battlefields. Locals have been displaced by the ongoing fighting. Fighting has been going on. The public needs to move to safer places. It is important for the public to get ready.
Sent by NMG