Myanmar junta launches major counteroffensive in southern Kachin State

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 capturing the town on August 19. According to Naw Bu, the junta has been using significant force in its bid to reclaim Momauk and Mansi, a town about 15 miles south of Bhamo. “They are using various heavy weapons and drones. When drones come, it can range from two to four or five at a time. The fighting is intense, with severe offensive tactics on their side,” he said. The clashes near Mansi have centred on Kawng Jar Yang, a village about five miles south of Bhamo. Thousands of civilians have been displaced since fighting started in the area in May. The troops involved in the clashes are mostly based in Bhamo. The junta’s Light Infantry Battalion (LIB) 437 had a base in Momauk until it was overrun last week, and LIB 601 and 319 were stationed in Mansi. Even as regime forces based in Bhamo make a push to the east and south of the city, residents say the fighting appears to be moving closer to the regional transport hub. “Although the conflict hasn’t reached us yet, it’s getting very close. You can hear the sound of heavy artillery every day now. If this continues, no one will dare to stay,” said a local woman who spoke to Myanmar Now on Tuesday. Most civilians affected by the fighting near Momauk and Mansi have fled to areas controlled by the KIA, raising fears that they could be targeted by junta airstrikes. The regime has cut phone and internet connections in a number of townships in Kachin State since July 21, making it difficult to get complete and up-to-date information from these areas.Since the start of the current offensive, the KIA-led forces have overrun scores of military outposts and captured a number of towns, including Sumprabum, Injangyang, Sadung, Sinbo, Myo Hla, and Lwegel in Kachin State and Mabein in northern Shan State’s Kutkai Township.

Myanmar junta launches major counteroffensive in southern Kachin State

Heavy fighting erupts as junta troops based in Bhamo battle anti-regime forces controlling the nearby towns of Momauk and Mansi

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