The Kachin Independence Army (KIA) and the People’s Defense Force (PDF) have finally fully captured Sinbo from the regime’s Infantry Battalion (IB) 141, a town on the west bank of the Irrawaddy River crucial for controlling Myitkyina, the capital of Kachin State.
Resistance forces gained partial control of Sinbo after occupying a police station in the town in early February. This week, they seized IB 141’s base, the last standing base near the town, allowing the KIA to gain full control of Sinbo.
KIA spokesperson Col Naw Bu told KNG that the regime sent three jet fighters and two combat helicopters to attack them, resulting in the deaths of some KIA soldiers after the resistance forces took the enemy base at 11:30 am on Tuesday. He mentioned that regime soldiers have also been killed during the battle.
Naw Bu couldn’t confirm the rumours of the junta battalion commander being killed and another being taken captive during the clashes. After the base was surrounded, the resistance was eventually able to seize it after launching a full assault beginning on April 25.
He emphasized the strategic significance of the captured base, citing its role in controlling the route between the KIA headquarters and Brigade 8, as well as its influence over the Myitkyina-Bhamo river route.
A local man told KNG that weapons seized from the regime were taken away in vehicles before the junta initiated an airstrike. “Jet fighters attacked the IB-141 (base) and the surrounding area while combat helicopters attacked Sinbo.”
At least five civilians have been killed, and homes were damaged during the conflict.
The man said that phone service in the area has been suspended.
IB-141 has maintained a base in Sinbo for more than 20 years. The town, with 1,000 homes, situated 14 miles from the first narrow passage of the Irrawaddy River, is essential for the military to control the waterway between Myitkyina and Bhamo towns.
The KIA has captured 70 camps, bases, and outposts from the junta since launching an offensive on March 7 and now also controls the Myitkyina-Bhamo highway.
