KIA troops. Photo- Jinghpaw Movement
The Kachin Independence Army (KIA) and People’s Defense Forces (PDF) seized two Myanmar military camps on Monday in Hpakant Township, Kachin State.
At 1am on early Monday morning, a combined force of KIA and PDFs raided the military regime camp at Sezin Village in Hpakant and a nearby pro-junta militia camp in Shwe Pyi Myint Village, according to local sources and Kachin media outlets.
The militia base in Shwe Pyi Myint village is home to the Shanni Nationalities Army (SNA), an ethnic Lisu militia allied to the regime, and junta troops, according to a source close to the Kachin Regional PDF.
Local media reported that the militia camp was seized after a four hour firefight. However, casualties on both sides are unknown.
“The military camps were occupied. There were casualties. But the detailed situation there is still unknown,” said the source close to the Kachin Regional PDF.
Spokespersons for the KIA and SNA confirmed the clashes with Kachin media.
On Tuesday, the KIA and junta troops continued to clash in Shwe Pyi Myint Village, said local media.
In late July, several days of intense fighting in Hpakant between regime forces and a combined force of the KIA and PDFs led to the junta launching heavy airstrikes in the area.
Currently, the KIA is reportedly coordinating attacks with PDFs in both Kachin State and upper Sagaing Region.
Regime forces are now facing near-daily attacks from PDFs and ethnic armed organizations across the country.
