Clashes erupt in three Kachin State townships as junta offensives continue

A tense military situation between the junta and the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) continues in Waingmaw, Bhamo, and Hpakant townships of Kachin State, with civilian casualties rising amid ongoing junta offensives, according to locals and resistance sources.

On November 25, junta troops and allied Shanni Nationalities Army (SNA) forces attempted to advance on Kuday and Sankywei villages in Hpakant Township, but the KIA and a People’s Defence Force (PDF) resistance coalition fought back, halting the advance and sparking clashes.

“The junta-SNA column had about 50 soldiers. Resistance forces think the junta is carrying out these operations to expand its control ahead of the election,” said a Hpakant local.

The KIA-PDF coalition eliminated 10 enemy troops, including the commander of the junta’s column, and captured several soldiers alive, locals reported on November 26, a day after the clashes. A Kachin PDF member was also killed during the armed clash.

A junta column is currently stationed in the monastery and school in Kuday Village, raising fears among locals that their presence could trigger renewed fighting.

Resistance forces believe the junta is launching a major military operation to expand its control ahead of the election it will oversee.