People in Hpakant Township Kachin State, have reported that the Military Council's troops are currently conducting a combat operation against the 44th battalion of the Kachin Independence Army (KIA). This has caused many villagers to flee their homes in search of safer locations.

A man from Namya village informed KNG that the residents of Hsenghpayar, Kathmaw, and Gutnwe villages, located between Namtein village and Namya village in the area of the 44th KIA battalion, have been evacuated for their safety.

"But the people of Namya are not leaving. There has been a military presence there for some time. The village is quite large. However residents from Hsenghpayar and Kathmaw are fleeing.

Some have sought refuge in Hpakant township, while others are escaping to nearby areas like Kamaing," he said.

On the morning of May 14th , over 100 soldiers, marched from Mogaung township to conduct a combat operation in the area of the KIA 44th KIA battalion, where the fierce battle between the two sides has continued.

Presently, there are approximately 600 internally displaced people (IDPs) seeking shelter. Among them, more than 200 are taking refuge at the KBC Christian Church in Namya village, another 200 are staying at the KBC Church in Sapaut village, and nearly 100 local residents have sought safety in the homes of their relatives in Namya village, Kamaing township, and Hpakant township.

"The column has begun retreating from Namya, but their next destination remains unknown. As of yesterday evening, Namya was still under attack with artillery shells and small arms being fired. The situation remains unsettled," said a man from Lawa village. The villages currently undergoing displacement are the small villages along the Mogaung-Kamaing-Hpakant road, comprising just tens of houses each.

A man from Hpakant, who is in close to the KIA, informed KNG that there were casualties among the Military Council troops during a skirmish near Namtein village on May 14. This incident took place while they were conducting a combat operation against the 44th KIA battalion.

"The battle that day was incredibly fierce and lasted from morning till night, raging incessantly throughout the entire day. Reports indicate that the troops of the Military Council suffered significant casualties during the engagement," he said.

On May 15, the military closed the Namya checkpoint along the Hpakant-Namya road, citing military tensions that arose following clashes between the Military Council troops and the 44th KIA battalion during their combat operation.

After trucks and passenger cars were blocked along the road due to its closure, the Military Council troops reopened the road on the morning of May 16.