The Kachin Independence Army (KIA) and allied resistance groups have seized over 30 regime outposts and two battalion headquarters over the past 11 days in Kachin State, according to the resistance forces and residents.
The KIA, Arakan Army, Kachin People’s Defense Force (KPDF) and other groups launched the Kachin offensive on March 7.
On March 15, they captured a major military outpost on Bumre Bum mountain, Momauk Township, said KIA spokesperson Colonel Naw Bu.
The outpost is located close to KIA headquarters in Laiza town and was under the command of Military Operations Command 21 based in Bhamo.
On March 16, the KIA and allies seized the Sumprabum Town base from Infantry Battalion 46 after a nine-day battle. Sixteen police officers stationed in the town also surrendered, according to a KIA statement released on March 17.
Sumprabum town is now under KIA control, said residents and some resistance groups, though its capture has not been announced by the KIA.
Junta forces bombed the town on March 16 and 17, forcing residents to flee.
Several junta outposts in eastern Momauk Township also fell on March 17, the group said.
Momauk lies just north of Bhamo on the road to the state capital Myitkyina.
“Yesterday [March 17], we were informed by our forces on the ground that they have seized at least five outposts in the eastern part of Momauk Township,” Colonel Naw Bu said.
Meanwhile, the KIA and allies are still attacking junta outposts along the Bhamo-Myitkyina road and in Hpakant, Tanai and Sumprabum townships to the north and west.
The KIA and allies seized Infantry Battalion 142 headquarters in Dawthponeyan town on March 8, before defeating Infantry Battalion 237 headquarters based near Dasai village in Momauk Township on March 15.
Meanwhile, heavy clashes continue to break out in Hpakant Township, Myanmar’s jade hub.
However, the KIA plans to give the green light for residents to return to Tar Ma Khan village near Hpakant town, where fighting was fierce after it seized a junta outpost there last month. It has already allowed the return of residents who abandoned nearby villages.
The KIA and allies are launching surprise attacks on junta targets throughout east and northeast Kachin State along the border with China.
On Monday, the KIA and allies seized a junta outpost to the north in Namkawn village, Tanai Township, where troops from Infantry Battalion 297 were stationed.
Namkawn is a gold-mining area where regime forces had reportedly been extorting the miners for years. KIA and allied groups captured its outpost after an hour-long battle yesterday.
The junta responded by launching airstrikes in Namkawn and other parts of Tanai Township.