The KIA is the strongest armed ethnic group besides the United Wa State Army (UWSA) in Burma. It has troops based in Kachin State and Northern Shan State which are on high alert as they monitor the movements of government troops, according to KIA officials at the Laiza headquarters, in eastern Kachin State.

All KIA positions have been on alert since May 19th, when the KIA sent a warning letter to the government demanding withdrawal of all Burmese troops deployed near KIA borders by May 25th, including three Burmese posts positioned near Battalion 5 at Pang Hkawn, in Sinbo, Mung-nyang (Mohnyin) Township.

KIA officials said Burmese troops have only partially withdrawn from their position near Battalion 5.

Government troops on the frontline in Northern Shan State have made no significant movements since the KIA released the warning, according to local KIA officials. There are five battalions under the KIA’s Brigade 4 based there.

Currently, the KIA has granted its troops in the frontlines, as well as its Rural Guard Force (RGF) and the newly-formed People’s Defense Force in the two states permission to fire on government troops when they intrude into KIA controlled territory, officials added.

Yesterday’s gunfire, which lasted for several minutes between KIA soldiers in Battalion 27 and government troops, took place at Wa Myi Kawng, in Shadan Ga Gaw, near Manje (Mansi) Town, in Manmaw (Bhamo) District.

KIA officials from Battalion 27 said there were no KIA casualties. However, it had no information on government casualties.

Officials in Laiza said fighting may occur any time if the government troops approach the KIA borders in the two states.

The KIA is a founding member of the newly-formed ethnic political and military alliance known as the United Nationalities Federal Council (UNFC), which is monitoring the three day visit of Burmese President, U Thein Sein, to China, which started on May 26.