Burma-Myanmar: Thousands of villagers trapped by battles between army and Kachin Independence Army (KIA) in Kachin State
Another battle yesterday in Kachin State’s Mann Si Township between government troops and the Kachin Independence Army is making life more perilous for the thousands of families trapped by the conflict, a KIA officer told Mizzima.
Vice Major Joon Aung, commander of KIA Battalion (3), said that another clash erupted at 9:00 A.M. near Namt Lin Par village in the township in Ba-Maw District as three battalions of government troops totaling 300 soldiers advanced in the area.
“We started shooting at each other as government troops moved in,” the KIA officer said, adding:“They used heavy weapons.”
Spokesperson of the Union Government did not reply to Mizzima’s requests for comment.
Residents of four village in the township – Mine-Khauk, Mone Dane Par, Kaung Jar and Namt Lin Par – have been trapped by the fighting, Vice Major Joon Aung said, adding that their situation is deteriorating.