The Myanmar army has been struggling to hold onto a base in Chin State’s Matupi Township after an ambush by the Chin Defence Force (CDF) on Monday led the forces to engage in a two-day battle, according to a representative of the resistance group.
CDF-Matupi information officer Nway Oo Linn told Myanmar Now on Tuesday that the clash started when the Chin force attacked a military base in the Theboi area along the Matupi-Paletwa road the day before.
“We didn’t manage to completely occupy the base during yesterday’s battle. They had around 60 soldiers present and they had dug bunkers there, so they’re trying their best to not come out. The situation is still tense,” he said.
He added that at least five junta soldiers were killed and at least 10 injured on Monday, and that a CDF member was injured when fighting resumed at 10am the next day.
Myanmar Now was unable to independently verify the number of fighters killed or injured on either side.
Another clash took place between the CDF and a 100-troop junta column marching along the Hakha-Matupi road on Monday evening, according to the resistance group.
Nway Linn Oo claimed that the CDF had captured two soldiers in that battle, which took place between the villages of Phaneng and Ngaleng.
“They weren’t deserters. We intercepted their column from the front and took two of them captive,” he explained, adding that the CDF would not be disclosing further information regarding the troops in their custody.
The military column that the CDF ambushed continued its march towards Matupi following the clash, and while further gunfire had not yet been exchanged at the time of reporting, tension remained high, according to the information officer.
Myanmar Now tried to contact the junta’s spokesperson for comment in response to the CDF’s claims, but all calls went unanswered.
The Matupi chapter of the CDF previously attacked a security checkpoint on the Matupi-Paletwa road manned by troops from Light Infantry Battalion 304 in late November. Two junta soldiers were killed and five injured, according to a statement released by the military.
Nearly 3,000 locals in Matupi have been displaced due to fighting in the area and continue to be in need of humanitarian support, according to the CDF.
