For three weeks in a row government troops have waged an assault on Kachin Independence Army (KIA) troops in northern Shan state. The fighting has forced thousands of civilians from around Saga Nam Hkun to flee to Bhamo township, according to KIA Maj. Joon Aung.
In the most recent offensive, which ended Nov. 11, government troops attacked KIA forces for three days in Saga Nam Hkun village. On the first day, three separate clashes resulted in the death of 15-year old from Makhaw Yan village and one KIA casualty. Eyewitnesses confirmed with Joon Aung that 10 government soldiers were also killed by landmines while looting a market in Mone Deinpar village in Mansi township.
A KIA officer was also killed on the last day of fighting, Joon Aung said.
Fighting started after Myanmar troops led by Lt. Gen. Myint Soe from the Northern Military Command in Bhamo township claimed to be investigating reports of illegal timber activities in the area.
The KIA has denied this claiming government forces created the illegal timber allegations as an excuse to begin their assault.
During the second week of fighting, officials from the Northern Military Command demanded for the KIA to designate relief areas along the route between Saga Nam Hkun village and Mon Meik for wounded government soldiers. When the KIA agreed to these terms government troops used the allocated areas to resupply their soldiers, passing rations and weapons munitions to their soldiers in the area.
