By Hlaing / MPA
The military is conducting an offensive to reclaim military bases in the Momauk and Mansi Townships, which are currently under the control of the Kachin Independence Army (KIA), according to sources.
On August 19, 2024, the KIA captured the military council’s 437 Light Infantry Battalion in Momauk Township, seizing a large amount of weapons, ammunition, and armored vehicles.
The 437 Light Infantry Battalion is a key defensive position under the Northern Regional Military Command (Ma Pa Kha) based in Myitkyina. To reclaim this position, the military council is employing both ground forces and airstrikes.
“Junta soldiers who fled from the 437 Battalion have regrouped at 47 Infantry Battalion and 21 Military Operations Command in Bhamo. On August 24, they split into groups and launched an offensive toward Momauk. Fighting has resumed near 6 and 7 Mile Villages of Bhamo, although the town itself remains calm,” a resident of Bhamo told MPA.
Additionally, the junta troops from Bhamo are advancing toward Mansi Township, leading to clashes near the Kawng Ja Yang Village, according to a ground military source.
“There are no more civilians left in Mansi. On August 26, there was fighting near Kawng Ja Yang, where the KIA launched a sudden attack on a military convoy. The incident occurred only about five miles from Bhamo,” the source said.
Currently, the KIA controls Momauk Township on the East of Bhamo, the Sin Khan – Ayeyarwady River crossing bridge on the Bhamo-Shwegu road which is on the West of Bhamo, and about two-thirds of Mansi Township with only the 319 and 601 Light Infantry Battalions based in Mansi remained to capture.
Furthermore, the junta army, which has lost nearly all of Northern Shan State, held a meeting in the second week of August 2024 and launched Operation Sin Phyu Shin under the leadership of Vice Senior General Soe Win to regain control of these territories.
The objective of Operation Sin Phyu Shin is to recapture towns, especially those in Northern Shan State, according to independent media reports.
Following the commencement of this operation, the military council has also carried out airstrikes in Hsipaw, Nawnghkio, and Kyaukme Townships, as reported by the military’s propaganda channels on Telegram.
“In Northern Shan State, the Northeastern Regional Military Command and key towns have fallen, so the military is now in a position of launching counter-offensives. Additionally, the operation is likely aimed at defending Pyin Oo Lwin, a strategic military stronghold, with clashes blazing toward Southern Shan from Northern Shan,” a military analyst commented.
The military council is facing fierce attacks from resistance forces across the country, while also using heavy artillery, drones, naval, and air forces to carry out strikes. As a result, civilian houses have been destroyed, and many residents have been frequently killed.
Resistance forces have currently taken control of up to 79 towns, and with ongoing town-seizing operations launching in Tigyaing, Kawlin, and Pinlebu within the upper part of the Sagaing Region.
