Battles resume in Kachin State

Battles raged in Kachin State on Friday as the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) and allies attacked junta bases near the China-Myanmar border while regime troops pushed into the jade-mining town of Hpakant around 100 miles to the northwest. 

Clashes subsided over the last two weeks after KIA-led forces seized several junta battalion bases over the last four months of fighting in Bhamo Township, as well as the airport and some urban areas.