The Kachin Independence Army (KIA), and its allied resistance forces, resumed its offensive on the regime Military Operations Command (MOC) 21 in Bhamo Township of southern Kachin State – three days after the end of a 20-day ceasefire – on April 25.
A source close to the KIA told DVB on the condition of anonymity that it expanded its offensive from the MOC 21, to include the Light Infantry Battalion (LIB) 47, as well as engineering, logistic and medical battalions in Bhamo, located 120 miles (193 km) south of the Kachin State capital Myitkyina and 58 miles (93 km) southwest of Laiza, the KIA headquarters.
The source added that airstrikes have been carried out on resistance forces stationed outside of the MOC 21. No casualties have been reported. The KIA offensive on Bhamo was paused from April 2-22 during a regime ceasefire, according to residents. On April 22, the regime extended its ceasefire to April 30, but the KIA did not.
The regime dispatched two military columns, totaling around 1,000 troops, based in Kamaing and Indawgyi towns of Hpakant Township to Hpakant town and surrounding villages under KIA control on April 23. Hpakant is located 214 miles (344 km) northwest of Bhamo and 94 miles (151 km) west of Myitkyina.
KIA spokesperson Naw Bu confirmed to DVB on April 25 that a counteroffensive was underway but that regime forces had yet to reach Hpakant town, where KIA forces took control on April 23, 2024 after it seized the LIB 116 in Selzin village.
At least 1,000 residents from villages located along the road into Hpakant town, including KIA-controlled Namya, Hsenghpayar and Kathmaw, fled their homes due to fighting between regime and KIA forces on April 24. No casualties have been reported.
Many took shelter at Kachin Baptist Church (KBC) church compounds in Hpakant, a KBC official and residents told DVB on the condition of anonymity.
The KIA launched its offensive in southern Kachin on Dec. 4 and seized Mansi Township on Jan. 8. It captured Kanpaikti, a town on the Myanmar-China border in Waingmaw Township, on Nov. 20, along with the rare-earth mining hub of Pangwa in Chipwi Township on Oct. 19.
The KIA has seized 14 out of 18 towns in Kachin, as well as Mabein in northern Shan State, since it launched its state-wide offensive against regime forces in March 2024.
