Burmese government forces on Thursday carried out artillery and ground attacks against outposts near the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) headquarters in Laiza.

KIA spokesman Col. Naw Bo told DVB that Burmese troops had launched assaults on two of its frontline outposts in Waingmaw Township and a security post near Laiza.

“On Thursday, our outposts in an area known as Kinyobum to the west of the Laiza headquarters were shelled by the Tatmadaw [Burmese armed forces] stationed on Khara Hill,” he said. “On the same morning, government forces also launched an attack on our positions on Ingkhambum Hill near the Myitkyina-Bhamo Highway in Waingmaw Township.”

He said the Burmese army fired some 80 rounds of artillery – including 60mm, 80mm and 120mm shells – on KIA positions in Ingkhambum between 5am and 11am on Thursday. The outpost near Laiza was shelled three times that same morning, he added.

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The KIA spokesman said both sides also exchanged gunfire on Wednesday morning between Waingmaw and Dawhpumyang townships.

“We see these attacks as a harassment — an attempt to provoke fighting,” said Naw Bo.

The KIA colonel said the Burmese military’s attacks on ethnic armed groups in Kachin, Karen and Shan states are detrimental to the ongoing peace efforts.