Myanmar’s military regime has ramped up its counteroffensive in Kachin State, northern Myanmar, targeting rare earth and jade hubs controlled by the ethnic Kachin Independence Army (KIA).
KIA spokesman Colonel Naw Bu said the regime is planning to reclaim Special Region 1 – a rare earth hub previously controlled by the junta-aligned New Democratic Army Kachin (NDA-K).
Spanning the eastern borderlands of Kachin State, Special Region 1 encompasses Chipwi, Tsawlaw, Pangwa, Kanpiketi and Waingmaw townships.
Chipwi and Pangwa are rare earth mining hubs located near the Chinese border. The KIA also controls a key border trade route with China through Kanpiketi town.
“We are monitoring [junta] movements across Kachin State. They have been conducting ground, artillery and drone attacks in Waingmaw. Our frontline troops assess that regime forces are planning an offensive to reclaim Special Region 1,” said Naw Bu.
Junta infantry supported by drones have reached Lamyan village on the road leading east to KIA-controlled Sadone town in Waingmaw. The regime is also reportedly arming militias in Khaunglanphu town, Putao Township, on Kachin State’s northern border with China.
Junta forces are also battling to reclaim Kachin’s jade hub, with daily regime attacks backed by air and artillery strikes reported in Hpakant, Indawgyi and Bhamo townships.
Fighting has flared in Lone Khin village tract close to Hpakant town as regime troops attack jade mines under KIA control. Junta assault on June 3 and 6 triggered blasts at two mining sites in Lone Khin, killing around a dozen civilians and destroying homes.
“The regime is burning mines and machinery to cut our revenue and deter mining companies from cooperating with us. The battle for Hpakant will be prolonged, so residents should prepare accordingly,” said Naw Bu.
On Saturday, a KIA ambush killed at least 10 junta soldiers, according to Naw Bu. The Irrawaddy could not independently verify that claim.
Meanwhile, fighting has been raging since December for Kachin State’s second-largest town, Bhamo, where the KIA has encircled the junta’s 21st Military Operation Command and supporting battalions, resulting in fierce clashes. On May 20, the ethnic army attacked three junta helicopters airlifting reinforcements and supplies to Bhamo, destroying two of them.
The junta launched its Kachin counteroffensive in late April when two columns totaling around 1,000 soldiers began advancing on Hpakant from Kamaing and Mohnyin. The troops from Mohnyin were trapped by resistance forces in Nam Mun, close to Indawgi Lake, 100 kilometers south of Hpakant town.
However, the Kamaing junta column of around 600 troops arrived in Lone Khin, 12 km from Hpakant, in late May after seizing KIA positions along the road. They have been arresting civilians and burning heavy machinery at mining sites.
Meanwhile, the junta has reportedly arrested Hpakant-based Battalion 33 Commander Colonel Kyaw Hset Myint for alleged involvement in illegal jade mining and sale of explosives. Sources say he was detained along with his wife and mother-in-law, who were released after interrogation.
He was reportedly replaced by Colonel Kaung Min Httut.
