[Tee tiong huat]

KIA Seizes Town on Chinese BorderN. ovember 4, 2024. The Kachin Independence Army and allies have control over Phimaw on Chinese border in Chipwi Township, despite Beijing’s calls for peace.
Kachin Independence Army (KIA) and allies seized Phimaw town on Chinese border in Chipwi Township on Sat while China is calling for peace along the Kachin State frontier. As the China blocked Phihmaw border & other border gates in Oct, Chinese representatives recently met KIA to ask stop fighting in northern Myanmar. But added KIA is now targeting Ganfai town, which junta bases, about 14km north of Phimaw on border. Warlord Zahkung Tin Ying’s New Democratic Army Kachin forms the BGF. BGF was given control of so-called Kachin State Special Region 1, which includes Chipwi, Tsalaw, Pangwa, Kanpiketi and Waingmaw.

Chipwi & Pangwa are rare earth mining hubs with heavy Chinese investment. KIA & allied Kachin People’s Defense Force have recently seized Chipwi, Tsawlaw & Pangwa towns as well as all three BGF battalion headquarters, meaning most of the special region are under KIA control. KIA sealed off Zahkung Tin Ying’s empty house in his hometown of Pangwa. The warlord and his family are reportedly sheltering in China.
KIA is operating with groups loyal to civilian National Unity Govt across Kachin State in northern Sagaing, Mandalay regions northern Shan State. It has seized around 11 towns in Kachin State as well as six towns in Sagaing in Mandalay regions northern Shan State.