War continues between KIA and Burmese army

New clashes between the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) and Burmese government troops took place on July 2nd and 3rd in different parts of Kachin State, despite efforts by both sides to negotiate a ceasefire on June 17 and 30th during meetings between representatives from the KIA and Burmese government.

On July 2nd the Mohnyin Township, Sinbo-based, KIA Battalion 5 and Burmese troops clashed after Burmese soldiers tried to enter the KIA controlled area. At least 20 Burmese soldiers died, according to an unnamed source.

A captive Burmese soldier in a KIA post before he was freed by KIA soldiers in Battalion 8, Northern Shan State.

In Northern Shan State, KIA Battalion 9, under command of KIA Brigade 4, attacked a truck which carried around 10 Burmese soldiers while entering the KIA controlled area. The truck was destroyed and all the soldiers riding in the truck died.

Heavy fighting between KIA Battalion 15 and the Burmese government’s Infantry Battalion (IB) No. 236 and Light Infantry Battalion (LIB) No. 348, and IB No. 144 took place in the evening of July 3rd at Sang Gang Valley, in N’mawk Township in Manmaw (Bhamo) district, when Burmese troops tried to deploy into the area near the KIA army camp.

Burmese troops fired heavy weapons during the fighting at Sang Gang. However, the number of casualties from both sides is still unknown.