The Kachin Independence Army (KIA) has seized 7 out of 8 military battalions on Myitkina – Bhamo Road in Momauk Township, Bhamo District, Kachin State, according to local residents.
“The last remaining Light Infantry Battalion- 387 in Momauk township, Myothet-based Battalion- 320, Saloungkone (Tower Hill), Longyar Bum Battalion and patrol battalions were seized on March 26. The military camps between Momauk and Myitkyina have been seized. Yesterday, more than 20 junta troops including the commander of Myothet Police Station fled toward the Bhamo side. I heard Battalion- 437 between Momauk and Bhamo was surrounded. The 5-mile gate, medical battalion, support battalion, and brigade engineer battalion are left,” a Momauk resident told MPA.
The Kachin Independence Army (KIA) had already seized the infantry battalion- 142 near Dawphoneyan town in Momauk township on March 7, the infantry battalion- 237 in Darsai village on March 14, the military camps _ Sangan, Khalon Kayone, Ohga Yain Bum, Mendar, Phakyaw and Bum Kapaw _ on March 18, the Nweland-based light infantry battalion- 438 and missile battalion- 616 on March 21, the Naung Kon- based artillery battalion- 370 and the remaining light infantry battalion- 387, Myothet-based Battalion- 320, Saloungkone (Tower Hill), and Longyar Bum Battalions.
Currently, only the infantry battalion- 437 among the junta battalions in Momauk Township has remained, and the KIA is also launching an offensive against the last remaining battalion.
According to a resident of Bhamo, the KIA started to attack an offensive on the military battalions and camps in Momauk Township on March 7, and the junta troops from those military camps fled to Bhamo town, so it was easy to seize these military battalions and camps.
“Almost all the military camps in Momauk Township have been captured, so they (military) are preparing a large-scale defense in Bhamo. The junta troops who fled from Momauk township are gathering in the military operation command – 21 and the infantry battalion – 236 and 47. Last night, they (military) were stationed in the offices and schools of Bhamo,” he said.
Currently, local people are fleeing to safety as they fear that fighting will break out inside Bhamo town.
Since last March 7, the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) has attacked and already seized more than 50 military camps on the Myitkyina – Bhamo road and Waingmaw – Laiza Road, and Waingmaw, Momauk, and Sumprabum townships.