On Tuesday at around 5 pm, the government’s light infantry 99 attacked KIA battalion 12 at Nam Hawm  near to Je U village after KIA forces refused to evacuate a roadway, said Labang Doi Pyi Sa, head of Kachin Refugee and IDP Relief Committee.

The fighting that continued for 20 minutes came only five days after the latest round of peace talks in Kachin state capital Myitkyina. The  government troops eventually withdrew, according to a KIA officer who wished to remain anonymous. There were no casualties from either side, said the officer.

KIA battalion 12 occupy part of Mabein township in northern Shan state and Manje (also known as Mansi) township in Kachin state. Currently there more than 500 government soldiers in the area after more troops were dispatched early this month to re-enforce four pre-existing battalions in the area, according the KIA officer.  

KIA officials in Laiza claim that the Burma army has also sent five divisions to KIA front lines in Kachin state, where frequent clashes continue despite agreements to form a “Joint Monitoring Committee” to oversee and reduce conflict  for an eventual ceasefire to be implemented. The three day meeting from Oct. 8-10 took place in in Kachin state capital of Myitkyina.

Fighting has been ongoing in many parts of Kachin and northern Shan states since the 17-year ceasefire broke down in June 2011.

Already the conflict has displaced more than 100,000 villagers according to the latest UN estimates, many of which are living in squalid and overcrowded camps with little or no access to humanitarian aid.