The Kachin Independence Army (KIA) has seized Myanmar regime positions and government offices in Bhamo town, a junta power base in Kachin State, according to Kachin media reports.
The KIA launched simultaneous attacks on regime positions in Bhamo and nearby Mansi town on Wednesday.
Clashes continued around the regime’s Military Operation Command 21 and a golf course in Bhamo on Friday, said the Banmaw Scout Team that monitors the fighting.
“Revolutionary troops have seized regime bases and government offices in the town,” the group said.
Many Bhamo residents remain trapped in the town, it said.
Kachin media reported junta airstrikes on resistance forces attacking Bhamo.
The 74 Media group quoted KIA sources saying the Infantry Battalion 236 base and regime positions near the Computer University in the town had been seized.
The KIA troops seized two regime positions defending the Infantry Battalion 37 headquarters and destroyed two tanks during the Bhamo fighting on Wednesday.
Around 20 civilians were reportedly killed by explosives.
The Irrawaddy could not confirm the reports with the KIA.
Despite Chinese pressure to halt attacks on the regime, the KIA and its allies recently took control of four of Kachin State Special Region 1’s five townships, including several regime bases and towns on the Chinese border.
The KIA is coordinating with several resistance groups, including People’s Defense Forces under the command of the civilian National Unity Government, across Kachin State, northern Sagaing and Mandalay regions and northern Shan State.
The group has seized around 10 towns in Kachin State and six in northern Sagaing Region and northern Shan State.
