The Kachin Independence Army (KIA) attacked the junta’s armed forces with the support of the People’s Defence Force (PDF) after 200 soldiers from Infantry Battalion 40 approached the Kachin fighters stationed in Hopin sub township in Mohnyin District.
According to a KIA officer on the frontline, the junta soldiers entered the area of Battalion 41 of Brigade 8 from their base in Hopin Township, three miles away, on Friday. KIA and PDF units for Hopin and Namma attacked them around 11am near San Pel Mountain (aka Jasmine) next to the village of Nam Jun. The KIA officer said the fighting was sporadic and warned that the clashes would be prolonged if the regime continues to try to infiltrate their area.
At press time, he had no information on casualties.
On 3 February, KIA and PDF fighters seized a police station in Mawhan and recovered weapons and other equipment. A KIA official told the KNG that they killed a police officer and a military leader and wounded at least three soldiers. The same morning, the KIA and the PDF attacked an army camp in Jara Yang in Hpakant Township.
On 1 February, the one-year anniversary of the coup, the groups destroyed two army camps in Suampian and Lonshar Yang in Putao Township. At the end of January, they ambushed a military convoy of 50 vehicles travelling from Sagaing Region to Kachin State with a landmine near a bridge in Kyar Gyi Kwin village in Hopin sub township.