February 22nd, 2022
Fighting between the military council troops and a combined force of the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) and the People’s Defense Force (PDF), continues to intensify at Shein Gat Bwan near Insiyan village in Putao Township. At around 10.30 am on February 22nd, the military council troops conducted airstrikes by two jet fighters.
A local from Insiyan told the KNG: “Since February 18th, a combined force of the Battalion-7 under the KIA’s Brigade-1 and the PDF attacked the military council’s strategic hilltop camp on Shein Gat Bwan Mountain.
“Fighting started on February 1st. There were two clashes today—one from 6 am to around 10 am and one at 1 pm. We heard the sounds of heavy weapons at close range. Both sides exchanged the firing of heavy shells. We don’t know their casualties. All villagers are hiding in the forests as they fear that heavy shells may land in the village.
The junta troops fired heavy weapons as a combined force of the KIA and the PDF attacked the military outpost from all sides. It is still unknown about the detailed information of the casualties from both sides.
Due to the ongoing intense fighting on Myitkyina-Putao Road, the road will be closed as of today till the end of this month, the persons close to the KIA said.
“As of today, the road is blocked. A combined force of the KIA and the PDF said the road would be temporarily closed as the fighting may intensify in Putao. The road will be closed till the end of this month as the military council is carrying out military activities and deployments.”
Around 260 populations from more than 40 households are hiding in the forests near the villages as the conflict-hit area is located about one mile from Insiyan village. They are in need of food and utensils, the locals added.
“Now we have been in the forests for around two weeks. The rations are going to run out. Here the phone access is difficult. We don’t know from which organizations we will ask for help. The military council fired heavy weapons into the village at night as it assumed that there may be the KIA members. So we cannot go home. The major needs are food and medicine.”
Fighting started in Insiyan, Lonesharyan, Swanpiyan and Phatmar villages in Putao Township on February 1st. As thousands of the people from four villages are hiding in the forests for around two weeks, the IDPs are in need of assistance, some IDPs say.
Although the IDPs want to return to their villages, they shall have to hide in the forests for long due to the ongoing military tension. They have called on the organizations to donate waterproof sheets and plastic sheets to build the tents.
Locals are worried about intense fighting in Insiyan, Swanpiyan, Lonesharyan and Phatmar villages which see ongoing fighting.
On February 20th, the military council transported around 100 soldiers to Putao Airport by two military flights. From there, they were transported to downtown Putao by five military vehicles, according to locals.
Sent by the KNG.