Troops from the Kachin Independence Organization’s (KIO) armed wing clashed with Burma army forces on November 16th in eastern Kachin state, according to an officer with group.
The officer from the Kachin Independence Army’s (KIA) Battalion 12 said that the fighting, which lasted more than an hour, took place at Hka Shang village near Jan Chyai Hkret in Mansi, also called Manje township. The area has long been held by KIA Battalion 27 (KIA 3rd Brigade). The clashes erupted when Burma army soldiers from brigade 88 entered into KIA territory, the office said.
“War broke out between us because they (Burmese troops) entered our region about 3 miles away from our camp, we don’t know the casualties,” said the KIA officer. He requested anonymity as he is not authorized to speak to the media.