Junta airstrikes on KIA-held camp force nearby communities to flee

The junta has launched airstrikes on a frontline camp held by the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) in Khaunglanhpu Township, Kachin State, forcing nearby villagers to flee.

The junta bombed Lahisin Camp, sits between Khaunglanhpu and Tsawlaw townships, on the afternoon of November 18, despite no recent clashes, a source close to the resistance group Kagabu People’s Force (KPF) said.

“The bombing didn’t hit the camp directly. It looks like the junta’s aircraft dropped the bombs without knowing the exact location. Its reconnaissance planes have been flying over this area almost every day lately,” he told KNG.

The KIA-led resistance alliance captured Lang Se Village in Tsawlaw Township and Lahisin Camp in Khaunglanhpu Township in October 2024.

The junta conducted a follow-up airstrike around the camp on November 19 at approximately 2:30 pm, dropping at least 10 bombs, though the extent of the damage remains unknown.

As the junta has stepped up bombing and reconnaissance flights around Lahisin Camp in recent days, nearby communities, fearing airstrikes, evacuated in advance.

“The planes are flying over the camp and Khaunglanhpu town like it’s routine, forcing villagers to leave temporarily,” a fighter of the KPF said.