More government troops sent to Kachin – Shan border

More government troops sent to Kachin – Shan border


By KLN
Saturday, Sept 14, 2013

Burma Army Trucks

KIA soldiers from the 2^nd Battalion under 4^th Brigade based in northern Shan State fought against invading Burmese army’s 221^st Light Infantry Regiment (Hka La Ya 221) troops at Mung Htam on Sept 13. The attack began around 9:10 am on Friday, when Burmese army troops suddenly appeared near a KIA 2^nd Battalion’s post at Mung Htam in northern Shan State.

 

Meanwhile in another battlefront near Kachin-Shan border, about 100 soldiers from Burmese army’s 240^th LIR (Hka La Ya 240) launched an attack on KIA’s 27^th Battalion’s frontline post at Lahkum Na Lung Bum on Sept 13 at 5:15 pm.

 

Local sources say 5 Burmese military trucks carrying additional troops and ammunition headed to Bhamo from Myothit to reinforce fighting in the KIA’s 12^th Battalion territory early Friday morning.

 

A combined force of KIA’s 12^th and 27^th Battalions is currently engaged in battles against a combined force of Burmese army’s 507^th LIB, 323^rd LIB, 522^nd LIR, and 68^th LIR.

 

KIO sources say its technical advisory team and Burmese government’s technical team from Myanmar Peace Center will meet in Myitkyina next week despite an escalation in fighting in Kachin and northern Shan State between the two sides since August.

 

Government’s chief negotiator Minister U Aung Min said during a meeting with United Nationalities Federal Council (UNFC) members that government will invite all 16 ethnic armed groups to sign a nationwide ceasefire accord in October. But most UNFC delegates say that without concrete steps such an agreement is unlikely to be signed in next month.

 

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