Fighting between government forces and troops loyal to the Kachin Independence Organization (KIO) broke out near United Wa State Army (UWSA) controlled territories in Shan state last Wednesday, according to KIO sources. The UWSA are the largest ethnic armed group in Burma.
The short clash that lasted about half an hour took place near the Nam Jarap village, between Thinni and Gan Mying, is controlled by Battalion 17 of the Kachin Independence Army’s 4th Brigade, according to a KIA officer stationed in Shan state.
KIA forces destroyed one of four military trucks carrying government troops into KIA Battalion 17 controlled area, according to the KIA officer. Several injured soldiers were carried back to Lashio for treatment, according to eye witnesses. At the time of press, it’s unknown if the injuries proved fatal
After the fighting, 5 military trucks carrying Burmese troops, weapons and rations were quickly deployed to Nam Jarap, Konlong and Gan Mying military bases near Konlong, located within UWSA territory, according to the KIA officer.
Fighting between KIO and government forces has continued near the Shwe gas pipeline and Mongkoe area in northern Shan state. Clashed have also taken place further east in KIO areas, close to UWSA controlled territories. But apart from these areas, fighting has slowed down in other areas controlled by the KIO or Burma military.
Representatives of both groups met yesterday for peace talks in the government controlled town of Myitkyina.
