The Kachin Independence Army (KIA) warned the Burmese Army to stop any movement in areas controlled by the KIA in Northern Shan State, after a recent offensive against the Shan State Army-North (SSA-N) was launched by Burmese troops ...
The Kachin Independence Army (KIA) warned the Burmese Army to stop any movement in areas controlled by the KIA in Northern Shan State, after a recent offensive against the Shan State Army-North (SSA-N) was launched by Burmese troops, said local military sources close to the KIA.
The warning was released by Dai Lawn Rung, the central military command of the KIA, based in Laiza, in Kachin State. It means Burmese troops will face armed resistance if they enter the KIA areas, according to KIA officials in N. Shan State.
The entrance of KIA's 4th brigade based in Loikang, near Kutkai in Nothern Shan State.
Local military observers in Munggu (Mongkoe) told the Thailand-based Kachin News Group, “At the moment, Burmese troops have stopped any movement in the KIA areas. Fighting will break out if they neglect the KIA’s warning.”
The KIA’s 4th brigade, which has five battalions, is based in N. Shan State. Battalions No. 17 and No. 29 are nearest to the current military conflict between Burmese troops and the SSA-N.
The KIA is closely watching the latest fighting between the SSA-N and Burmese troops, according to the KIA officials.
Both the KIA and SSA-N are members of the recently formed United Nationalities Federal Council (UNFC), the political and military alliance organized by 12 ethnic groups.
The United Wa State Army (UWSA), the KIA’s ally outside the UNFC and the strongest armed ethnic group said it also will fight the Burmese Army if they enter its territories.
The SSA-N wants the stronger armed groups, like the KIA and the UWSA, to join the military response against Burmese troops, according to local military analysts.
The two groups are preparing for inevitable civil war with the Burmese junta. However, both are reluctant to respond to the junta’s military action against the SSA-N so far.
Military analysts near the China border said the current fighting between the Burmese Army and SSA-N will test the UNFC, which formed in last month.
The KIA is the second strongest armed ethnic group in military-ruled Burma. It has five brigades. Four of them are based in Kachin State. There are about 30 battalions, with over 30,000 fighters- including regular and reserved forces, said KIA.
There is no official ceasefire agreement between the KIA and Burmese regime. However, the KIA will not start the war according to KIA officials.
