Residents of Nam Aum village have reported ongoing clashes between the Military Council troops and the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) 9th Battalion in the vicinity of Nam Aum village, located in Muse Township of northern Shan State. Furthermore, the military is indiscriminately launching artillery shells from both Nam Hpat Kar and the 105 miles camps, according to these residents.
According to a resident of Nam Aum, who spoke with KNG Kachin News, there has been an ongoing offensive by the Military Council troops since August 27 towards Bakngoi Bum. This area is located west of Nam Aum village and houses the KIA 9th battalion. The situation has led to both sides engaging in artillery shell exchanges and combat, continuing until the morning of August 28.
"The military is presently engaged in military operations towards the KIA in the western part of Nam Aum. A skirmish took place yesterday, followed by the audibility of artillery shells last night. The firing has resumed since approximately 10 o'clock this morning. Artillery shells are also being launched from Nam Hpat Kar and the 105 miles camp," reported a resident from Nam Aum village.
Starting from August 27, the Military Council has deployed around 100 troops for an ongoing offensive against the KIA 9th battalion. Moreover, reports indicate that there has been indiscriminate artillery shell fire originating from both Nam Hpat Kar Infantry Battalion 123 and the 105 miles camps.
Local residents have reported that due to the exchange of artillery shell fire between the two armed forces, some houses and structures in Nam Aum village have sustained damage, but there have been no reported casualties.
Presently, several columns are engaged in military operations, advancing from Lashio-Kutkai towards Muse. Among them, one column is moving from the Namhkam-Seilant direction, another from the forest road east of Nam Hpat Kar, and a third column is progressing along the Nam Aum road.
Consequently, confrontations persist between the Military Council troops and the KIA in the vicinity of Nam Hpat Kar-Nam Aum villages, along with frequent clashes involving the TNLA.
"At this moment, the military is actively carrying out operations in the vicinity of Nam Aum. The TNLA is imposing taxes within the village, resulting in frequent gunshots that echo. The residents are gripped by fear. Simultaneously, the military is continuously launching offensives on the KIA 9th battalion. Military columns are consistently on the move every day, launching offensives from multiple directions," shared a resident from Nam Aum.
The Military Council's troops have been consistently launching offensives in Kachin state since the conclusion of the previous month. Additionally, there has been an uninterrupted series of offensives in northern Shan state. As a result, schools in certain villages situated along the Kutkai-Nam Hpat Kar-Muse road have been compelled to close.
During the month of July, a conflict erupted between the Military Council troops and the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) as well as the Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) along the Kutkai-Nam Hpat Kar-Muse road in northern Shan State. Tragically, this clash resulted in the deaths of 10 civilians.
According to residents, the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) has blocked the Namtawng-Hparhpeik road near the 105-mile point of Muse township. This action has been taken due to the ongoing offensive by Military Council columns advancing towards Muse.
