Myanmar’s military lost its major outpost on the road linking Bhamo town in northeastern Kachin State and China to the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) and allies less than an hour and a half after sunrise today.
The strategic outpost of Sinlum Bum outside Momauk Township’s Lwegel town – one of only five border trade towns along the Myanmar-China border – fell to resistance forces at about 7 am today.
It had been used by junta troops to control the 60-kilometer road between Bhamo and Lwegel for more than 60 years and had a long history of being used to shell KIA-controlled Mai Ja Yang town, residents of Lwegel said.
More than 200 junta troops were usually stationed at the outpost before it was captured, residents of Lwegel and KIA troops said.
It was the main outpost of the Myanmar miliary on the about 90-kilometer road linking Bhamo and Lwegel towns. It became one of more than 60 outposts captured by the KIA in the last 22 days, since the KIA and allies, including the Arakan Army, launched coordinated attacks on junta targets along the Bhamo-Myitkyina Road on March 7.
The KIA and allies turned their focus to junta targets along the Bhamo-Lwegel Road on March 27 as the junta celebrated Armed Forces Day.
The junta’s military has lost most of its outposts and bases in upper Bhamo district over the past 26 days, as well as a large number of troops, including high-ranking officers.
On March 29, Brigadier General Min Htut Oo, the commander of Light Infantry Division 88, was killed in a clash with the KIA in Momauk Township. He died after being injured near Kone Law village, while he and a column fled KIA troops after they had captured Bumre Bum outpost near Laiza Town.
Colonel Naw Bu, spokesperson for the KIA, said Brigadier General Min Htut Oo was one of the highest-ranking Myanmar military officers to die in Kachin State since the KIA launched its March 7 offensive. Min Htut Oo was transported to a hospital in Bhamo, where the 21st Military Operations Command is based, but did not survive, the KIA spokesperson said.
The KIA is focusing on strengthening its control of the Lwegel border trade zone, residents of the town say. KIA troops have surrounded the town but have not completely taken control of it. Junta troops remain inside the town.
Lwegel is one of Myanmar’s five trade towns along its border with China. The total trade volume through the town for fiscal year 2023-24 reached US$119 million in February.
The KIA and allies have seized nine battalion headquarters and more than 60 outposts from the Myanmar military in Kachin State since launching their coordinated offensive along the Bhamo-Myitkyina Road on March 7. The outposts were seized along the road in Momauk and Waingmaw townships and Dotphoneyan sub-township. Others were seized in Mansi, Sumprabum and Tanai townships, which are located north of Bhamo.
Before launching the March 7 offensive, the KIA had already encircled Hpakant Township – where the state’s jade mining hub is based – and driven the junta’s military out of areas bordering the township.
Following the loss of outposts in Momauk Township, the junta’s military did what it usually does after being defeated: It bombed civilians.
At about 7 am this morning, the junta’s air force bombed a stretch of road near Jan Mai village between Lwegel and Mansi towns, hitting a civilian car. Four passengers and the driver were killed, people who live nearby said.
A military analyst said the balance of power is shifting to the KIA in key townships of the state’s northernmost area as well as its jade hub. The junta’s military is losing access, he said.
He explained that the junta’s military cannot send reinforcements to Sumprabum and adjacent Putao townships because the KIA controls the roads leading to them. It can only defend its bases in Putao with the troops already there. At the same time, it is trying to rush reinforcements to Bhamo and Hpakant townships, the analyst added.
“The KIA has the upper hand. It is their decision which of the townships they will seize. We will have to wait and see. It’s up to them,” he said.
