KIA and allies capture more Myanmar army camps near Laiza

The Kachin Independence Army (KIA) and its allies have captured more Myanmar army camps near the group’s Laiza headquarters, as fighting continues two weeks into a new anti-junta offensive in Kachin State. The Narhpawt camp, located about 10 miles northeast of Laiza, was the latest to fall after being captured early Thursday morning, an officer of the Kachin Region People’s Defence Force (Kachin PDF) said, citing troops on the ground. Fighting for control of the tactical hill camp began last Sunday, the Kachin PDF officer said. Three other camps, including the major Ugashan outpost, have also been captured, he added. Casualties have been reported on both sides, but exact figures were not available as clashes were still ongoing, he said. The military responded by carrying out airstrikes near the Narhpawt camp at around 7am on Thursday, according to KIA spokesperson Col. Naw Bu. He added that the joint anti-regime forces are currently targeting junta army camps near villages located along the road from state capital Myitkyina to Bhamo, some 120 miles to the south. “There are battles occurring in Numlant, Myothit, and Konlaw. However, there is still no news on whether we have been able to capture the camps yet or not,” he said. The camp near Numlant is occupied by troops from Light Infantry Battalion 438 and is strongly fortified, he added. It includes an artillery unit that has been heavily shelling the area since the clashes began. According to a local man, the regime has also been carrying out airstrikes near Numlant since early Thursday morning. “Even from where we live, we can hear the sound of heavy artillery fire and planes. But I haven’t heard any small arms. They’ve been shooting since 7 o’clock this morning,” he said, speaking to Myanmar Now on condition of anonymity. The KIA and its allies have captured most junta army camps along the Myitkyina-Bhamo road since the start of a new offensive on March 7. However, four camps located between the towns of Dawthponeyan and Momauk remain under regime control. In total, more than 30 camps have fallen to the allied Kachin forces over the past two weeks, including many that were seen as a threat to the KIA headquarters in Laiza. Located in Waingmaw Township near the Myanmar-China border, the Narhpawt area was a KIA stronghold until 1987, when a Myanmar army offensive forced the group to retreat.

KIA and allies capture more Myanmar army camps near Laiza

Anti-junta forces have taken control of all but four regime camps along the Myitkyina-Bhamo road since the start of a new offensive two weeks ago

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