The Burma Army and Kachin Independence Army (KIA) fought clash in Kyukok sub-township—also known as Pang Hseng—in Muse District in northern Shan State on Saturday morning.
According to a KIA officer from Brigade 6, the KIA’s Battalion 36 “ambushed” a military column from the Burma Army’s Light Infantry Division (LID) 88, which had arrived at Man Kawng village near Kai Dwi Kawng hill. Both forces then exchanged gunfire near the village.
“Clashes occurred near Man Kawng village at around 9:30 a.m.,” the Brigade 6 officer told KNG. “Clashes may continue in the area,” he added.
The officer said that at least three Burmese soldiers were injured, but reported no injuries on the KIA side.
More than 280 people live in Man Kawng village at the base of Kai Dwi Kawng hill. They all sought refuge in nearby Man Pying village on Friday morning. KNG reported that the villagers left because they were afraid of artillery shells hitting their 47-household village.
Col Nhpang Naw Bu, a KIA said that combined forces from LID 88 and 99 attacked KIA troops on Kai Dwi Kawng hill, where Battalion 36 is based, on Friday afternoon.
Even though Burma army has extended its unilateral ceasefire declaration until the end of September, LID 88 and 99 have launched “clearance operation” in northern Shan State, according to eyewitnesses.
The Burma Army has subsequently clashed with members of the Northern Alliance—the KIA, Arakan Army, Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army and the Ta’ang National Liberation Army—in Kyukok over the last week.
