The Kachin People’s Defense Force (KPDF) announced on February 23 that the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) No.5 Battalion and KPD-Myohla Battalion have taken control of Myohla town and Strategic Military Camp in Bhamo District, Kachin State.
After the KIA frontline operation commander warned the junta troops to surrender to the people by non-violent surrender on February 19, the junta troops abandoned the town off Myohla and the strategic military camp on February 22.
“Those junta troops joined the junta force from Kyaukgyi village and are now heading towards Shwegu town with 3 military ships. All the police from Kyaukgyi police station have moved to Shwegu town since last night,” the KPDF Myohla information officer told MPA.
The strategic junta military camp that the junta troops abandoned is in the area of the KIA Brigade 8, and this camp is commanded by Win Thu Ya Aung, the Strategic Commander of the Light Infantry Battalion 387 under the Division 88 since 2002.
The Light Infantry Battalion 387 and the Infantry Battalion 10 are stationed in this strategic military camp and more than 200 junta troops may be in the camp, a PDF comrade considered.
Currently, the junta troops are reportedly still in Kyaukgyi and Paukkone village.
“We know all those junta troops have not left from Kyaukgyi through the drivers from Oakchi village who have returned,” a PDF comrade said.
“There are no more junta forces in Mansi and Bhamo, and there is also fighting in Sinbo town which is about 20 miles away from Myohla town. So, the junta forces are reorganizing towards Shweku,” remarked a man from Shwegu.
Myohla town is located at the border of Kachin State and Upper Sagaing Region, and it is also a township where KPDFs are strong.