Burma-Myanmar: Fighting resumed between Kachin Independence Army (KIA) and Burma army in Kachin and Shan states
Troops from the Kachin Independence Organization’s (KIO) armed wing have clashed repeatedly with government forces in both Kachin and northern Shan states over last few days. The clashes come ahead of a renewed push by President Thein Sein to secure a National Ceasefire agreement by the February 12th Union Day holiday.
The clashes in Shan state started on January 12th and took place in areas controlled by Kachin Independence Army (KIA) Battalions 2, 36, and 38 according to Captain Zau La of KIA Brigade 4 (all three of the battalions are in the 4th Brigade).
According to the KIA captain, the clashes broke out because of aggressive actions carried out by army units stationed in areas between the border town of Muse and Kutkai. Army units across northern Shan state have been reinforced since the beginning of year in what appears to the KIA to be a coordinated effort to push them out of the area.