The KIO is fighting against joint forces of government troops and Kachin militias in some places, the statement said.

The statement warned Kachin militia groups who are fighting against the KIO, “It’s the right time for all Kachins to be united. The KIO is calling for quick action on Kachin unity”.

There are seven Kachin armed groups loyal to Naypyitaw in Kachin State and Northern Shan State.

In Kachin State, there is the Hkawnglanghpu-based Rebellion Resistance Force (RRF), led by Tanggu Dang, the Waingmaw-based Lawayang Militia Group (LMG), which transformed from the Lasang Awng Wa Peace Group, led by Col. Lasang Awng Wa, and the Pangwa-based Border Guard Force (BGF), which transformed from the New Democratic Army-Kachin (NDA-K), led by Zahkung Ting Ying.

In Northern Shan State (formerly known as Kachin Sub-state in Shan State), there is the Kutkai-based Kutkai Militia Group, led by Hkun Myat, the Hpawng Seng-based Militia Group led by Lau Yawng, the Mungpaw-based Militia Group led by brothers Du Mon and Du Kying Mai, and the Kawnghka-based Militia Group, transformed from the Kachin Defense Army (KDA), led by Mahtu Naw.

Of them, the Lasang Awng Wa Peace Group, NDA-K and KDA are splitter groups from the KIO.

According to militia sources, the Burma Army is using their troops in its the large-scale offensive against the Kachin Independence Army (KIA), the armed wing of the KIO, in Kachin State and Shan State, since the start of the civil war on June 9.