The Kachin Independence Army (KIA) and its allies have seized over 200 Myanmar junta positions in Kachin State in four months, according to its information officer, Colonel Naw Bu.
The KIA and its allies on March 7 attacked more than 10 junta outposts along the Bhamo-Myitkyina road.
On April 1 the armed group seized Sinlum Bum, an important base controlling the 60km road between Bhamo and Lwegel for more than 60 years from which it shelled KIA-controlled Mai Ja Yang town.
The KIA occupied Lwegel, one of five trade towns along the Chinese border, on April 8.
It attacked the strategically important town of Momauk on April 22.
“Among over 200 junta positions, over 10 were crucial to the military and are now strategically important to the KIA,” Col Naw Bu told The Irrawaddy.
He said Sinlum Bum, Lwegel, Manweingyi, Sumprabom, Myo Thit Kone, Namby, Tar Saii, Kone Law and Sin Khan were crucial bases seized during the four months.
In early May, the KIA and its allies seized over 80 positions, including 11 battalion headquarters along the road in Momauk, Waingmaw and Myitkyina townships, and in Mansi, Sumprabum and Tanai townships north of Bhamo.
Dawthponeyan, Lwegel, Hsinbo and Sumprabum towns were seized before May.
“Sumprabum is a key town to control the Myitkyina-Putao route,” Col Naw Bu said.
The KIA is currently fighting at the Light Infantry Battalion 437 headquarters in Momauk town, which is a link between the state capital Myitkyina and Bhamo, the second-biggest Kachin town.
It is the last base in Momauk and the junta has responded with airstrikes.
“Our troops can move freely in Momauk but are still attacking Battalion 437 near the town,” the colonel added.
