Kachin group launches administration in area seized from junta-allied border guard force

The Kachin Independence Army (KIA), the ethnic armed group that has captured nearly all of Kachin State’s Special Region 1 on the China-Myanmar border, is now instituting a new administration in the area, according to a spokesperson. Special Region 1, which encompasses Chipwe and Tsawlaw townships, is territory designated for control by the Border Guard Force (BGF) battalions under the command of the elderly warlord Zahkung Ting Ying. The BGF battalions used to constitute an ethnic armed group that splintered from the KIA before entering into a ceasefire with the military, later agreeing to be incorporated into the Myanmar military’s command structure as a border guard force. The KIA has taken over the town of Pangwa (Pang War), Chipwe Township—where the headquarters of pro-junta militia forces is located—as well as the towns of Tsawlaw, Sadung, and Chipwe and surrounding villages. Col. Naw Bu, the KIA’s information officer, said the group is conducting clearing operations, implementing security measures, and attempting to persuade the pro-junta militia members still active in the area to surrender. “We have full control over most areas,” Col. Naw Bu said. “When we say control, we mean we are performing administrative and security functions in the villages we’ve captured. Some militia and BGF members who retreated—we’re also trying to persuade them to lay down arms.” The KIA launched its offensive in Special Region 1 in September, capturing almost all bases and territories under army and BGF control except for the border trade town of Kan Paik Ti . Fighting paused in June of this year after the KIA captured the town of Sadung, Waingmaw Township. Resuming offensive operations in September, the KIA captured the three major towns of Special Region 1–Chipwe, Tsawlaw, and Pangwa–as well as the large villages of Hpi Maw and Kan Hpant in Chipwe Township. They also captured bases manned by BGF battalions 1001, 1002, and 1003, which maintained security in the special region. According to local news outlets, over 100 militia members surrendered or defected to the KIA near Kan Hpant during the offensive, which also resulted in the capture of large caches of weapons and equipment. Col. Naw Bu confirmed that militia members from the Kan Hpant area had joined them, but could not give details. “They were gathering in the Kan Hpant area, and now they've joined forces with us. It's not surrendering because we are brothers,” he said. Colonel Naw Bu explained that militia and BGF members are not joining as entire units but rather coming from villages little by little, making it difficult to confirm exact numbers as of yet. Natural resources minister of the publicly mandated National Unity Government (NUG) Dr. Tu Hkawng wrote on his social media page on Monday that the residents of Kan Hpant had welcomed KIA forces. While fighting has reportedly paused in Special Region 1 , battles continue near Momauk and Bhamo towns in southern Kachin State, according to KIA military sources. The military has reportedly launched a series of intense assaults by ground and air in an effort to retake the Light Infantry Battalion (LIB) 437 base near Momauk, which is currently in KIA hands. “The military is trying to recapture the LIB 437 base,” Colonel Naw Bu said. “They're attacking with ground forces, air strikes, artillery, and their armoured vehicles. However, we haven't heard updates about the situation on the ground yet.” The KIA and its allies have also captured several major camps belonging to Shanni militias near the border of Hpakant Township in Kachin State and Homalin Township in Sagaing Region. During this year's KIA offensive against the military, which has been ongoing since March, the group has captured the town of Mabein in northern Shan State as well as a dozen towns or large villages in Kachin State: Sumprabum, Injangyang, Sadung, Chipwe, Tsawlaw , Hpi Maw, Pangwa, Dawthponeyan, Sinbo, Myo Hla, Momauk, and the border trade town of Lwegel (Lweje or Loi Je) in Kachin State.

Kachin group launches administration in area seized from junta-allied border guard force

Still nearing the China-Myanmar border town of Kan Paik Ti, the Kachin Independence Army has taken over most of ‘Special Region 1’, an enclave designated for autonomous control by a militia under the military’s command structure

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