Burma-Myanmar: Kachin Independence Army (KIA) says more clashes likely despite military junta’s ceasefire announcement
Clashes are likely to continue in Kachin state even after the junta unilaterally announced a ceasefire on Wednesday, a spokesperson for the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) has said.
The coup regime claimed it would cease all military operations from Thursday in order to hold negotiations with ethnic armed groups, but KIA information officer General Naw Bu said the Myanmar military had not stopped its activities in Kachin.
“Regardless of their announcement, we have seen them continue their operations as usual,” he told Myanmar Now. “That is also usually the case in northern Shan state even after an announcement of a ceasefire.”
The KIA has launched numerous offensives against the military in Kachin state since February. Last week the group seized a military base near the Chinese border. The military has countered with artillery fire and air attacks.