[Tee tiong huat]

KIA Advances on Junta’s Kachin State Power Hub.

Kachin Independence Army (KIA) and its allies are reportedly attacking Myanmar’s junta in Momauk and Mansi townships in Kachin State as regime forces regroup in neighboring Bhamo. On Wed, KIA entered Momauk & seized a police stn. After several days attacks on junta troops, they withdrew from town, said a KIA officer. He said junta outposts remained elsewhere in township, including Light Infantry Battalion 437 & two artillery battalions.

Fighting reported on Wed & Thurs within township.“We have't seized whole Momauk & Mansi as regime still occupies bases,” said KIA spoken Colonel Naw Bu. Momauk is west of Laiza, where KIA HQ is based, spans mountains northeast of military Ops Command 21 & other bases in Bhamo.

In Mansi Township, south of Bhamo, Light Infantry Battalions 319 and 601 HQ & some outposts still held by regime. KIA &its allies, includes Kachin State People’s Defense Force & other resistance grps & Arakan Army now threatening junta power hub in Bhamo from northeast & southeast.

KIA’s attacks began on March 7, targeting Bhamo-Myitkyina road. Clashes have been reported in Momauk, Waingmaw, Myitkyina, Mansi, Sumprabum and Tanai townships. KIA occupied Dawthphoneyan, Lwegel, Hsinbo and Sumprabum town more than 80 junta positions. Junta is regrouping its defeated forces from around Laiza (Bhamo), according to KIA. Col Naw Bu said: “Most of defeated junta troops from across Kachin State are gathering inside (Bhamo), preparing to strengthen town’s security.”

https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/burma/kia...r-hub.html