Hundreds of Civilians Flee as Burmese Army Continues to Battle KIA

Kachinland News, June 28, 2013

A series of battles took place in the last week of June in northern Shan State between troops under Kachin Independence Army and Burmese Army. Despite their agreement to undertake efforts to de-escalate tension on May 30, government troops continue to encroach on territories held by indigenous ethnic armies in northern Shan State.

A battle took place between Kachin people militia (MHH) troops under KIA’s 36th Battalion and a combined force of Burmese army’s 128th Light Infantry Regiment and 507th Light Infantry Battalion near Kong Sa village in northern Shan State on June 27 at 7 am.

A Kong Sa villager said Burmese government troops fired several rounds of 60 mm mortar shells on civilian homes in his village during the battle. About 1000 civilians have fled to Chinese side of the border as mortar shells landed in residential area.

Another battle took place between Kachin people militia (MHH) troops under KIA’s 36th Battalion and Burmese army troops under 128th LIR near Hpai Kawng village on June 26 at 8 pm. The battle lasted for about an hour and no casualties have been reported from either side.

A local source says Burmese army soldiers are staying inside civilians’ homes in Hpai Kawng village and often fire at Kachin troops from those occupied homes. Hpai Kawng villagers are currently living in open rice fields as Burmese army troops from 240th LIR burned down Hpai Kawng IDP camp which has about 50 temporary tents on Nov 28, 2012.