Between 10 and 19 February 2025, the junta-aligned Min Zay Thant militia group launched 17 drone strikes on Warazut Village on the Ledo Road in Hpakant Township.

The Min Zay Thant militia group controls other villages around Warazut Village in Hpakant Township, such as  Jahtuzup, Sanpya, Aungyar, and Bangkauk. After detecting signs of Kachin Independence Army (KIA) activity in Warzut Village and the surrounding areas from 2 February, it started launching drone attacks on Warazut Village on 10 February.

There were no casualties reported from the drone attacks though there were explosions on the streets of Warazut Village.

On 17 February, the junta also launched an airstrike against Warazut Village that killed a 27-year-old civilian and destroyed three houses.

A resident of Warazut Village said: “Tensions have been escalating in Warazut Village since 2 February, following the movements and activities of KIA troops. Between 10 and 19 February, the Min Zay Thant militia group dropped bombs on Warazut Village 17 times using drones. In addition, the junta launched an airstrike [during that period], killing one civilian.”

The drone attacks have also caused some villagers to flee from Warazut.

Another villager criticised the militia leader, Lieutenant Colonel Min Zay Thant, saying that he should not harm uninvolved civilians when he wants to fight with other armed groups.

The current tensions between the KIA and the Min Zay Thant militia started after militia members attacked a KIA checkpoint in Hpakant Township’s Lawa Village on 17 December 2024 and killed four KIA soldiers.

As of 2 February 2025, the KIA has has set up a roadblock to prevent trucks and passenger vehicles from travelling along the Ledo Road in Hpakant Township, between Warazut Village and Nawngmyi Village, except for villagers from Warazut who are allowed to use the road at certain designated times.

Most of the time the locals are having to use an alternative route, known locally as the Yazuna Road, that goes through the villages of Nawngmyi and Bangkauk. The KIA roadblock has also caused travel difficulties for villagers from Jahtuzup, Sanpya, Aungyar, Nawngmyi, and Bangkauk, many of whom are making preparations to evacuate if fighting in the area gets worse.