KIA retakes camps in northern Myanmar mining zone after junta offensive

The Kachin Independence Army (KIA) has retaken two of its camps in a mining area of northern Myanmar after they were seized by junta forces last month, local sources said Tuesday. The camps, located near gold and amber mines in Tanai Township, Kachin State, were recaptured in late January following fighting with junta troops who had taken control of the positions in December.In mid-December, junta troops and allied local militias pushed into gold-and amber-mining areas of Tanai Township, forcing the KIA to abandon the Awelaw camp and a security outpost on Nat Yai Kan Mountain in Brigade 2, Battalion 14 territory. The offensive also drove civilians and miners from nearby mining sites. After reinforcing its forces, the KIA counterattacked on January 26, retaking both positions, according to a source affiliated with KIA."KIA Battalion 14 territory Nat Yai Kan Mountain security outpost has been regained by the KIA," he said. “They are continuing to attack two places, and fighting continuously. The two sides are still engaging.”Locals said the KIA is pressing its offensive west of Tanai town, where fighting remains active, and that junta forces are resisting fiercely with heavy weapons and air support. KIA Information Officer Colonel Naw Bu said the military situation in the Tanai area remains intense."These battles are continuing,” Naw Bu told Myanmar Now. “I confirm the fighting is happening. As for capturing the camps, I still do not know yet. It is likely that we have taken them. I’m confident of this, but it hasn't been fully confirmed to us yet.” Naw Bu added that the junta’s attempt to control that region, which produces gold and natural amber stones, is to regain their stronghold camps as well as an attempt to control the business interests to be gained from natural resources. Since the junta’s offensive began in December, residents, miners, and business owners have been forced to leave gold-mining areas, shutting down operations and displacing thousands to Tanai town, locals said. Residents and the KIA said there are concerns the military could reassign mining concessions if it regains full control, while gold workers, laborers, and vendors now face shortages of food and shelter. Elsewhere in Kachin State, fighting has intensified in Waingmaw Township since early January. Naw Bu noted that the group has recently retaken several small camps north of Waingmaw town that had fallen to junta forces.Fighting has continued across Kachin State, including in Tanai, Waingmaw and Bhamo, as junta forces and the Shanni people’s militia launch a fresh offensive to regain control of the Indawgyi area in Mohnyin Township. On January 25, the military carried out airstrikes on Chaungwa village, north of Indawgyi Lake, and Tonepin village to the west, damaging two hospitals in KIA-held areas. Since launching a statewide offensive in March last year, the KIA has seized Mabein town in northern Shan State and more than a dozen towns across Kachin State, including key border and trade hubs."The junta’s security outposts along the small creek are under attack,” Naw Bu said. “We received news that some camps have been regained (by KIA). We received news that the regime forces also had to give them up and KIA columns are gaining footholds wherever they arrive.”

KIA retakes camps in northern Myanmar mining zone after junta offensive

The military camps, lost in a December offensive, were retaken as part of a broader counterattack, according to local sources

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