Fierce fighting continues as military junta forces launch repeated offensives with tanks against Momauk Township, an area controlled by the Kachin Independence Army (KIA), according to KIA frontline sources.
Since August, the junta has been conducting offensives twice on a weekly basis with tanks from Banmauk, attempting to recapture Light Infantry Battalion 437 in Momauk. Heavy fighting continues almost daily between the 6-Mile and 7-Mile posts between Banmauk and Momauk.
A KIA frontline source said: “The fighting continues regularly. Yesterday’s battle took place near the 6-Mile post, where we conducted a guerrilla-style attack on the military’s supply route from behind. There were casualties on the military’s side. We seized 4 or 5 firearms. Basically, fighting happens almost daily in the 6-Mile and 7-Mile areas.”
The source continued that on 10 November, intense fighting broke out when KIA and allied forces attacked and blocked the military’s supply route position at the 6-Mile between Banmauk and Momauk towns.
The KIA captured LIB 437 in Momauk on 19 August. About four days later, the junta began counteroffensives using tanks from Banmauk to recapture Momauk, an operation that has now lasted around three months.
Currently, the junta has expanded its forces to about 400 troops along Aung Mye village near 6-Mile and 7-Mile between Banmauk and Momauk. They are conducting indiscriminate attacks using tanks, drones, and heavy artillery in their attempt to advance toward Momauk Township.
Meanwhile, KIA and allied forces are reportedly engaging in defensive operations and blocking the military’s columns as they launch counter-offensives with large troop numbers.
The fighting remained intense through 10 November as junta forces advancing from Banmauk managed to push up to the 7-Mile post.
Colonel Naw Bu, KIO Information Officer, said: “They’ve been launching offensives with tanks for quite a while now. They’re attacking both by air and ground. They’re also firing with drones and heavy artillery. From their situation, we see they’re trying to recapture their lost LIB 437.”
The fighting between Banmauk and Momauk could intensify and continue for an extended period unless the junta forces withdraw, Colonel Naw Bu added.
KIA sources reported that during the fighting around the 6-Mile post on 10 November, there were casualties on the junta side, and the KIA managed to seize some weapons and ammunition.
Sent by KNG