As Myanmar grapples with the aftermath of the devastating 7.7-magnitude earthquake, the junta has been ramping up airstrikes and ground offensives in Kachin State, including at Bhamo Town where fighting has intensified in the last few days.
According to the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) spokesperson, Colonel Naw Bu, following the powerful 28 March 2025 earthquake that hit central Myanmar, the KIA, without making any announcements, paused all its military activities, including those in conflict zones, whereas the junta escalated its military operations and launched unilateral attacks in Kachin State. He added that if the junta continues its attacks the KIA might have to suspend its pause and resume fighting.
He said: “We, the KIA, have paused our military operations, even though we didn’t make an official announcement. However, if the junta keeps up its unilateral attacks, the fighting will resume. There have been ground clashes in Waingmaw Township. On 30 March, the junta also launched airstrikes in KIA Brigade 9 territory. We paused our operations on humanitarian grounds, but with the junta continuing its attacks, we're being pushed into a situation where we’ll have to consider whether to respond with combat.”
Though urgent relief efforts have been needed for earthquake-affected communities in major cities, towns, and villages across Mandalay, Sagaing, Magway, and Bago regions, the junta has exploited the devastating natural disaster as an opportunity to increase its military activities, including airstrikes, in Kachin State and other areas.
On 30 March, the junta launched airstrikes on both Bhamo Town and KIA Brigade 9 territory in the Hpakant area. Fighting around Bhamo, the second largest city of Kachin State, has been ongoing for nearly three months.
Also on 30 March, fighting erupted around Warshang village in KIA-controlled Waingmaw Township when the junta ramped up its ground offensive in the area, according to Waingmaw Township residents.
On 31 March the junta army and its ally the Warazut militia group fought with a KIA-led coalition near Hpakant Township’s Lawa Village on the road leading to Danai (Tanai) and Hpakant townships, according to a resident of Lawa Village who spoke to KNG. Fighting first broke out around Lawa Village on 23 March and the military situation in that area has been tense since then.
Though the KIA paused its offensive in Bhamo the junta has continued daily airstrikes and artillery attacks in the area.
As the nation mourns the earthquake victims, the National Unity Government (NUG) and several ethnic armed organisations (EAOs) have announced a temporary halt of their offensive operations.
