KIA-led forces take control of two battalion bases in Bhamo

The Kachin Independence Army (KIA) and its allies claim to have taken full control of two of the Myanmar army’s battalion bases this week in Bhamo Township, Kachin State less than 50 miles from the China-Myanmar border. Anti-junta forces led by the KIA had already captured one of the bases—the Artillery Battalion (AB) 366 base—in January according to KIA spokespersons, but were still fighting to hold it against junta counteroffensives when they seized Infantry Battalion (IB) 236 on Thursday. KIA spokesperson Col. Naw Bu told Myanmar Now that the alliance of anti-junta forces seized Infantry Battalion 236 at around 8am on February 20 and was now holding the battalion headquarters as well as controlling most of the territory surrounding Artillery Battalion 366. “I haven’t received reports on any subsequent clashes,” Col. Naw Bu said on Thursday. “The fighting was intense yesterday, and the area was taken around 8am today.” “We had previously captured the AB 366 base, but since we weren’t able to take all the territory held by the junta, there were instances where their troops re-grouped and came back,” he continued. “It’s been a while since we seized the headquarters, and now we’re in control of most of the area.” Infantry Battalion (IB) 236 is located between Bhamo’s airport and the Myanmar army’s Military Operations Command 21 (MOC-21) headquarters—one of 21 such army command centres throughout the country. The capture of IB 236 is likely to consolidate the anti-junta forces’ control of territory around the airport, KIA-connected sources said, as well as allowing for more direct attacks on MOC-21. “IB 236 and AB 366 have already been captured. Now, there are intense clashes at MOC 21,” a local man with ties to the KIA said. “The junta fought back fiercely yesterday with constant airstrikes from planes flying out of Tada-U, Meiktila, and Myitkyina air bases, as well as some drone strikes.” Junta troops who retreated from previous clashes with the KIA and its allies have deployed to MOC-21, reinforcing the regular junta garrison there and other battalions under its command. The manpower of the forces involved has contributed to the intensity of the clashes and resulted in heavy casualties, the local man said.Col. Naw Bu confirmed to Myanmar Now that clashes had escalated at the IB 236 before its capture on Thursday, but did not give information on battles that had taken place since then. The KIA and its allies have captured several urban neighbourhoods, a tank battalion base, an armoured battalion base, and the airport since the battle for Bhamo began in December. A crucial military town, Bhamo is home to the AB 366 and 304 bases, the IB 236 and 47 bases, and the MOC 21 as well as the Armoured Battalion 7006 and Tank Battalion 5014 bases. Most of these bases are located east of Bhamo and the road to the town of Momauk, Kachin State, while IB 47 is on the road to Mansi, to Bhamo’s south. The KIA and its allies have effectively surrounded Bhamo on three sides, having taken control of Momauk, Mansi, the village of Hsin Hkan some 30 miles southwest of Bhamo on the south bank of the Ayeyarwady River, and territory on the west bank of the Ayeyarwady opposite Bhamo. The Chinese government has been trying to exert pressure on anti-junta ethnic armed groups active in the border regions—especially the KIA and the members of the Three Brotherhood Alliance, which carried out a sweeping offensive against the military in 2023 and 2024—to negotiate ceasefires with the military. Since launching its ongoing offensive campaign against the military in March of last year, the KIA has seized more than a dozen towns, including Mabein, northern Shan State and Sumprabum, Injangyang, Sadung, Chipwe, Tsawlaw, Hpi Maw, Pangwa (Pang War), Dawthponeyan, Sinbo, Myo Hla, Mansi, Kanpaikti, Momauk, and the border trade town of Lwegel (Lweje or Loi Je) in Kachin State. While KIA-led offensive operations have escalated in Bhamo, fighting has calmed elsewhere in the state. KIA and ABSDF members seen during the battle for control of Mansi on January 10, 2025 (Photo: ABSDF)

KIA-led forces take control of two battalion bases in Bhamo

Holding the two battalion bases puts the anti-junta forces in a better position to attack the next vital target in Bhamo, Kachin State: the army’s Military Operations Command 21 (MOC-21) headquarters

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