Burma-Myanmar: Schools closed and civilians displaced as fighting between Burma army and Kachin Independence Army (KIA) intensifies
Fighting has been ongoing for nearly a week between members of the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) and the Burma Army, leading to school closures and civilians fleeing their villages along the highway connecting Kachin State’s Tanai and Hpakant townships.
Clashes have increased in the Shahtu Zup village area in Tanai Township between members of the KIA Battalion 14 and government troops.
Tang Sen, a KIA lieutenant colonel, spoke to The Irrawaddy from the front line on Monday.
“We just returned from the fighting area on foot; there was just one hour of fighting today,” he said.
Tang Sen is also the commander of the KIA’s Battalion 6, based nearby in Tanai Township. Fighting has often broken out in that area as well, he added, from August 4-7.