Myanmar military attacks KIA-controlled territories, including Laiza, with aircraft and drones

Myanmar’s military has repeatedly targeted areas under the control of the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) in recent days as the group continues its push to take the southern Kachin State city of Bhamo. On Tuesday, the junta launched multiple drone attacks near Laiza, where the KIA is headquartered, as well as in KIA-controlled areas of Hpakant Township. Similar attacks have also been reported in other areas this week, including in Shwegu Township, where the KIA’s newly formed Brigade 11 operates, and near Manweingyi, on the Chinese border. No casualties were reported from the attacks near Laiza, where three drones were launched at around 2pm on Tuesday, a local source told Myanmar Now.“Two kamikaze drones fell north of Laiza, but in an area without many homes, so no one was injured. Another landed near the village of Laisin, but there were no casualties there either as it was not in a residential area,” said the source.Two kamikaze drones—single-use bomb-equipped drones that explode upon impact with their target—were also used in an attack on Laiza on January 24. A hotel in the town’s centre was destroyed, but no casualties were reported.In Hpakant, two attacks took place, the first at around 1am on Tuesday and the second at 11am. The first was an airstrike targeting a mountainous area northeast of the town controlled by KIA Brigade 9’s Battalion 26, while the second involved the use of drones and aircraft to bomb KIA positions on Sankywei Pagoda Hill, according to a source close to the group.“The junta base in Hpakant didn’t deploy drones much before, but now they’ve started using them to drop bombs on our hill camps facing their base,” the source said.“They use drones during the day and fighter jets at night,” he added.Since the end of last year, the junta has made increasing use of drones in Kachin State, not only to deliver explosive payloads, but also for reconnaissance purposes. Near Bhamo, drones equipped to detect heat signatures have also been observed.Fighting has been fierce around Bhamo since late last year, when the KIA and its allies launched an offensive to take control of the junta stronghold.On February 19, junta airstrikes targeting areas east of Bhamo left at least three civilians dead and many others injured, according to local sources. Bhamo and several nearby villages were also bombed on Monday and Tuesday, the sources reported.KIA-led forces have captured a number of Bhamo’s urban wards, as well as its airport and some battalion headquarters. The junta’s Military Operations Command 21 continues to come under attack.The KIA currently controls 14 towns in Kachin State, and has also captured the town of Mabein in northern Shan State.

Myanmar military attacks KIA-controlled territories, including Laiza, with aircraft and drones

The attacks are in response to the Kachin armed group’s offensive to take the junta-held city of Bhamo in southern Kachin State

Subscribe for full access

Myanmar charity worker who built a lifeline for the poor loses it all after military coup

Fear grips Mandalay as junta-backed militias and kidnappers prey on residents

For Myanmar migrants in Thailand, hope is a 100-baht lottery ticket

‘Will it be different this time, Grandson?’

Subscribe for full access

Related Articles

At least two killed in blast in Myanmar’s Rakhine state capital

Nighttime junta airstrike kills 2 and injures 6 in Pauktaw Township

Suu Kyi speaks to son for first time in more than five years

Six women killed by Myanmar junta airstrike in Budalin