Fighting has erupted near La War village as military junta troops attempt to retake villages along the Hpakant road that were previously seized by the Kachin Independence Army (KIA), according to local sources.
The KIA had taken complete control of the villages of Namya and Namting along the road in April 2024. Currently, the junta troops, along with their affiliated militia forces, are launching a counter-offensive to recapture these areas.
Local sources report that on 23 March, three battalions, including the Warazup militia, entered and attacked the areas near Kamaing town, targeting Ma Au Pin and Kun Hseng Yang villages.
After attacking a KIA checkpoint in Ma Au Pin village, military tensions are now high along the Hpakant road near Karming, according to a KIO frontline source.
“It was on 23 March, if I’m not mistaken, when they entered the Ma Au Pin village area and burned down KIA checkpoints. On 24 March, KIA forces counterattacked. The junta soldiers and militia members stationed in the village were forced to retreat,” the source said.
The source further described that the Warazup militia and junta troops are currently stationed in La War village along the road to Tanai, causing local residents to remain displaced.
A KIA military source said these developments as an attempt by the junta to regain control of the Hpakant road sections previously held by the KIA.
“Given the current military situation and ongoing fighting in Bhamo, it appears the military strategy has shifted. We can say they have launched attacks to recapture areas previously controlled by the KIA,” the source said.
Local residents reported that over these days of conflict, the junta troops and the militia have been arresting civilians and killing livestock in the areas they occupy.
Commenting on the military tensions in La War, Ma Au Pin and Kun Hseng Yang villages, KIO spokesperson Colonel Naw Bu said: “Fighting broke out after the militia and junta troops began to carry out military activities on the Hpakant road section. Fighting is also taking place in the Warazup and Shaduzup areas. These conflict zones are in jade and gold mining areas. It seems they are conducting military operations to disrupt
Colonel Naw Bu also noted that with the prolonged offensive to capture Myitkyina ongoing for over two months, they are strategizing to prevent military failure and attempting to recapture areas previously held by KIA.
The offensive involves the junta’s Mokaung Military Operations Commands-3, Infantry Battalions 298 and 297 (Dum Bum), and the Warazup militia.
The junta began by shelling areas near Laway village on 22 March and attacked KIA checkpoints on 23 March.
Due to the week-long military tensions, almost all local residents in La War, Apar, and villages near Karming town have been forced to flee to Nanmati and other safer locations.
Sent by KNG.