Burma army and KIA clash in Northern Shan state near pipeline route

Loikang, the KIA 4th Brigade HQ in northern Shan state.

A 30 minute battle broke out on July 18th between a column of Burma army troops and Kachin Independence Army (KIA) forces in northern Shan state, according to a senior KIA official based in the area.


The firefight took place in territory belonging to KIA Battalion 8 in an area close to the path of twin oil and gas pipelines that when operational later this year will deliver oil and gas from Burma’s western Arakan state to China's Yunnan district.

The clash saw KIA forces from the group's Battalion 8 (under 4th Brigade) face off against a column of Burma army troops from Namtu. The fighting broke out at Na Yawng village in Nampaka township according to a KIA officer from the group's 4th Brigade, who spoke to the Kachin News Group on condition of anonymity.

“The gunfire happened soon after we encountered government forces who had left on a military operation. Fighting happens whenever the two troops encounter each other. The clashes will continue if Burmese troops do not stop their operations,” he said.

According to the KIA officer the government involved in the clashes are from a unit assigned to patrol the pipeline corridor. Following the fighting the government withdrew to Mung Maw in Namtu township, where Infantry Battalion No. 41 is based.

About a week ago, dozens of fresh government troops were dispatched to territory partially controlled by KIA Battalions 36 and 38, in Pangsai (Kyukok) and Mongkoe, according to Zau Seng a commander based in the area from the local KIA affiliated civilian militia

Clashes have continued to take place between the Kachin Independence Army forces and the Burmese government troops since a 5 point agreement was reached between the two sides at the end of May.

Although these battles have been relatively brief affairs the fact that the fighting continues is according to many Kachin proof that Burma's government does not want real peace in northern Burma.


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