According to KIA information officer to Irrawaddy- The Kachin Independence Army (KIA) and its allies have seized over 200 Myanmar junta positions in Kachin State in four months.

On March 7, the KIA and its allies launched coordinated attacks on over 10 junta outposts along the Bhamo-Myitkyina road. By April 1, they had captured Sinlum Bum, a critical base that had controlled the 60km stretch of road between Bhamo and Lwegel for over six decades, and from which the junta had previously shelled the KIA-controlled town of Mai Ja Yang.

The strategic town of Lwegel, one of five key trading towns along the Chinese border, fell to the KIA on April 8. This was followed by the capture of the crucial town of Momauk on April 22.

"Among the over 200 junta positions taken, more than 10 were of significant strategic importance to the military and are now vital to the KIA," Colonel Naw Bu told The Irrawaddy.

Key bases such as Sinlum Bum, Lwegel, Manweingyi, Sumprabom, Myo Thit Kone, Namby, Tar Saii, Kone Law, and Sin Khan were among those seized during this period.

In early May, the KIA and its allies intensified their offensive, capturing over 80 positions, including 11 battalion headquarters along the routes in Momauk, Waingmaw, and Myitkyina townships, as well as in Mansi, Sumprabum, and Tanai townships, north of Bhamo. Before May, the towns of Dawthponeyan, Lwegel, Hsinbo, and Sumprabum were also taken.

"Sumprabum is a key town for controlling the Myitkyina-Putao route," Colonel Naw Bu emphasized.

Currently, the KIA is engaged in fierce fighting at the Light Infantry Battalion 437 headquarters in Momauk town, a crucial link between the state capital Myitkyina and Bhamo, the second-largest town in Kachin State. The junta has responded with airstrikes as the KIA continues its assault on the last remaining junta base in Momauk.

"Our troops are able to move freely in Momauk but are still engaged in attacking Battalion 437 near the town," Colonel Naw Bu added.

BOB Post