Forces loyal to Kachin Independence Organization (KIO) clashed several times with the Burma military over the past week in northern Shan state, according to a KIO source. It was the first recorded clashes since both sides met for peace talks in Kachin state capital of Myitkyina at the end of May.
This Monday saw fighting break out between KIO Mungshawa Hpyen Hpung (MHH) civilian militia force section 5 and government infantry battalion 125 close to Hpai Kawng village in Pangsai (Kyukok) region. The government was supported by troops from the Kutkai based militia group, controlled by the ruling USDP party member Hkun Myant. Hkun Myant uses his militia in Shan state's booming drug trade. Two government soldiers’ bodies were recovered at the end of the fighting, according to a KIO official.
A smaller clash also took place between the MHH and an unknown government unit last Sunday evening close to Hka Lum village in the same area.
Last Saturday KIO civilian militia forces fought for 20 minutes with another unknown government unit at the nearby Hka Lum village.
Kachin forces received strict orders not to strike first, said one KIO official who spoke to the Kachin News Group (KNG) on condition of anonymity due to restrictions in place on speaking to the media. Despite the KIO’s restraints, clashes occurred after Burma military units entered KIO controlled areas without warning, the anonymous official said.
During the last peace meeting, the KIO and the government's peace negotiations team signed a 7-point agreement pledging both sides would take necessary steps towards reducing tensions and establishing a troop monitoring mechanism to prevent clashes like these. Despite the goodwill gestures displayed in Myitkyina’s peace talks, and later flaunted to the media by government chief peace negotiator Aung Min, fighting hasn’t been prevented and a formal ceasefire still seems far from reach.
