The military is conducting airstrikes in fierce fighting to prevent losing Light Infantry Battalion (LIB)-437 in Moemauk, Bhamo District in Kachin State, using around 10 jet fighters daily, said KIA frontline news sources.
It has been over 10 days since the KIA resumed battle to capture the junta’s LIB-437, with fierce fighting ongoing in the area, they said.
The military is conducting daily bombings with eight to ten jet fighters to prevent losing the Moemauk camp, said a KIA frontline news source.
“The military sends jet fighters to Moemauk if the fighting is intense. Eight to ten jets arrive during heavy clashes and fire continuously. Three to four jets come daily, with more arriving when the fighting escalates,” he said.
On 24 July, the KIA and allied forces launched an attack on LIB-437, successfully capturing half of the camp.
The KIA and allied forces have been unable to fully capture the area due to the military council’s heavy use of ground troops and airstrikes. The fighting continues to intensify, he added.
The military council forces are fiercely defending Moemauk, using drones and military aircraft, and deploying around 400 troops during the battle, according to front-line sources.
The fighting in Moemauk has been ongoing for 10 days, and the KIA still struggles to capture the camp. Both sides have suffered heavy losses, said the frontline military sources.
The junta’s ongoing bombings have led to the destruction of many houses in Moemauk Township. Details about the extent of the damage remain unclear due to difficulties with phone lines.
The military council forces are fiercely defending LIB-437 in Moemauk because capturing Moemauk would likely lead to the loss of the entire Bhamo region for the junta, based on the current territorial situation, said a Kachin political analyst.
“If the junta loses Moemauk, it will lose Bhamo. The military is fiercely defending Moemauk due to this strategic situation. The KIA will gain complete control of the Chinese-Myanmar border- Lwelgel road if they capture these two towns. Bhamo is the second-largest town in Kachin State, and the military is determined not to lose it,” he added.
The junta’s LIB-437 is located approximately seven miles from Banmauk. It is a large camp where junta forces have been stationed for over a decade.
Additionally, Moemauk is situated on the Bhamo-Lweljel highway and serves as a key center for bilateral trade along the Myanmar-China border.
The KIA and allied forces first attacked LIB-437 in May but were unable to capture it. Since July 24, the KIA has renewed its attacks on the battalion, frontline sources say.
Sent by KNG.