By Mandy / MPA
The Kachin Independence Army (KIA) has reopened the Hpakant-Yu Ma-Sai Taung road in Kachin State, allowing residents to return to their homes. The road had been closed for over a month due to recent clashes in the area.
Clashes broke out near Sai Taung Village in Hpakant Township, Kachin State, between the KIA, the People Defense Force (PDF), and military forces from the State Administration Council (SAC) on 7 September 2024. As a result, the KIA blocked the Hpakant-Yu Ma-Sai Taung road in the third week of September, only reopening it on 27 October.
“A confrontation occurred near Kyauk Thwar Mountain located at the Yu Ma exit and Sai Taung entrance, which made it unsafe for us to stay. Now, permission has been granted to return. Initially, only the bypass route of Old Sai Taung Village was open, but now the entire road is accessible again,” said a male resident of Lone Khin area.
SAC forces raided the Lucky Men Hotel near Sai Taung Village, arresting civilians. While the KIA attempted to negotiate for the release of the detained civilians, the military refused, leading to an offensive attack by the combined KIA-PDF forces on September 7.
“When fighting broke out in Sai Taung Village, many residents fled to our home, and we sheltered together. The prolonged clashes and road closures, along with rumours in Hpakant, made it impossible to stay. Fearing we would be trapped, we left our home and became displaced,” explained a female resident from Hpakant.
After more than a month of conflict in Sai Taung Village, a combined force from the KIA and PDF successfully seized control of the Lucky Men Hotel where about 50 troops of SAC were stationed on 8 October.
“With the roads reopened, residents of Kyauk Thway Taung Village and Sai Taung Sectors 3 and 4 have been able to return. The sections in Sai Taung that were not affected by clashes had already resumed normal living,” a male resident of Sai Taung stated.
During the month-long conflict, SAC forces repeatedly conducted airstrikes and bombed Sai Taung from the Hpakant strategic hill. Numerous houses were destroyed, and over 20 local residents were killed, according to local humanitarian sources.
In addition to airstrikes and heavy artillery, reports from local sources indicate that the military employed individuals under the influence of narcotics to set fires, resulting in widespread fires in Sectors 3 and 4 of Sai Taung Village. As a result, 243 houses were reportedly destroyed.
Currently, checkpoints have been established along the Sai Taung-Yu Ma road, Hpakant-San Jwen Maw, and Hpakant-Shwe Yan Maw by the KIA and PDF to ensure regional security and stability, according to local sources.
