Heavy fighting has been reported in southern Kachin State since the weekend as Myanmar’s military battles to retake two towns captured by anti-regime forces near the key city of Bhamo.
The junta counteroffensive began five days after an alliance of armed groups led by the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) took full control of Momauk Township, east of Bhamo, early last week, according to the group’s spokesperson.
“They started launching their offensive towards Momauk on August 24. As a result, we and our allies have been engaging in defensive battles between the five- and six-mile marks between Bhamo and Momauk,” said KIA spokesperson Col. Naw Bu.
The KIA, together with troops from the Kachin People’s Defence Force and Arakan Army, jointly besieged junta camps in Momauk for over a month before finally . . .
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