Kachin Independence Army (KIA) and its allied force successfully seized more than 10 military council camps in Waingmaw Township, including Gidon camp, within a span of two days.
Colonel Naw Bu, Spokesperson of Kachin Independence Organization (KIO)s confirmed.
On 5 and 6 May, the KIA and allied forces took complete control of more than 10 junta camps including the military council’s strategic Gidon camp along the ridge on the upper course of Dabat creek between Katsu and Maliyan in the KIA’s Brigade-5 territory.
ÒWe have captured more than 10 camps to date. On the morning of 6 May, we carried out area clearance operations in Gidon post and Nhkam. Then, we captured the key military camps including Ngagyang in the KIA’s Battalion-3 in the north of Dabat creek,” said Colonel Naw Bu.
The KIA and joint forces captured more than 10 small and large camps, including the junta’s key strategic camps such as Nhkram, Kagam, Sama, Nga gyang and Gidon along the eastern hill between Katsu and Maliyang and Ponglein on the Chinese border.
According to a frontline source from the KIA, the military council launched relentless bombing campaigns, deploying approximately five jet fighters and Y12 aircrafts in a single day, as it faced consecutive losses of its camps.
As most of the junta soldiers fled during the battle to capture the camp, the KIA pursued them relentlessly.
Colonel Naw Bu said, “The army resorted to their typical aerial bombings. The junta fiercely resisted, but eventually, they fled when they could no longer hold out. Their whereabouts remain unknown. We are currently in pursuit of those who fled from the hilltop camps.”
In 2011 and 2012, the military council conducted an offensive to capture Nhkram and Kagam bum camps where the KIA was stationed.
Since then, the military council troops have been stationed on the entire hill.
In 2016, the military council launched a significant offensive aimed at capturing the KIA’s remaining Gidon camp, sacrificing substantial casualties on its part.
A decade later, the KIA managed to reclaim the strategic hilltop camps that had been initially taken from the KIA by the military council.
Currently, the KIA is trying to capture Laihpawng bum camp and other camps in Battalion-3, Brigade-5 under the KIA.
Since 7 March, the KIA has captured more than five towns and around 80 military camps.
Sent by KNG.