The Kachin Independence Army (KIA) and Myanmar’s junta are engaging in more battles across Kachin State with the repeated use of airstrikes.
Junta troops reportedly killed at least three out of 10 civilians seized from Kyauk Htone Gyi and Inn Da Yant villages in Katha Township, Sagaing Region, since August 23, according to residents.
“They arrested seven men and three women to use as human shields and we found three dead men on August 25 in the jungle near Wel Ma village,” said a resident.
The Irrawaddy could not independently verify the reports.
Rural civilians are repeatedly being seized as human shields across Kachin State.
A junta convoy was attacked near Mogaung Township on August 19, leading to at least 17 abductions, including the seizure of a child, accusing them of supporting the Kachin People’s Defence Force (PDF).
Among those detained from Moe Gaung was Pyaw Len Lawk who was killed at an interrogation center on August 27. The whereabouts of the others are still unknown.
The KIA and PDFs are conducting joint operations. On Friday morning KIA Brigade 5 and Myo Hla PDF seized a police station in Kyauk Gyi village, Shwegu Township, after 90 minutes of fighting.
A member of Myo Hla PDF said the regime suffered heavy casualties and responded with airstrikes, although casualty numbers were unknown.
Clashes were reported on the major Myitkyina-Bhamo road on Sunday and Monday.
The Kamaing-Hpakant road was reopened on Monday after being closed for five days after fighting and the seizure of numerous civilians as human shields.
Numerous Nant Yar villagers have been missing since August 22 and their whereabouts are still unknown.
Light Infantry Division 33 troops are still being deployed across the jade-mining hub of Hpakant, according to KIA spokesman Colonel Naw Bu, who said his forces are preparing to attack.
He said at least 80 junta troops had been injured around Nam Sang Yang village near the KIA headquarters.
“The conflict in Kachin State is expected to worsen in the coming days. Since the coup, intense fighting has occurred in Karen State. Now that is coming to Kachin State,” Col Naw Bu said.
The KIA and residents said the junta is increasingly using allied militias in fighting with junta reinforcements arriving from Shan State.
Col Naw Bu said the junta is training militias, including in the use of artillery.
