Burma-Myanmar: Burmese troops and Kachin Independence Army (KIA) repeatedly clash in southern Kachin state
Fighting between government forces and troops form the Kachin Independence Organization (KIO) took place nearly every day last week in the Manwing area of southern Kachin state. The fighting began shortly after a military column entered into an area controlled by the Kachin Independence Army (KIA), the KIO’s armed wing.
Clashes between the Burma army’s Light Infantry Division No. 88 and resistance forces from KIA battalion 27 took place at Gaw Ngu Yang near Nam Hka village, said local resident Maran Bawk who witnessed heavy gun fire on Tuesday, June 17th.
Clashes continued the next day for several hours in the same area as KIO representatives sat down with their counterparts from the government for meetings involving the Conflict Consultation Committee in Myitkyina, the capital of Kachin state, said Zau Shan, a KIA official based in the Manwing area.
More fighting happened between the same Burmese column and the KIA Battalion 27 at Pung Ling on Friday, June 20. This was followed by further clashes at Dingga Bum on Sunday, June 22, Zau Shan said.