Govt, KIA troops battle in Kachin State
Despite efforts this month to prevent further clashes, government and Kachin army fighters exchanged gunfire over the weekend near Aungbarlay village in Kachin State, said Lamine Gwan Jar of Peace-talk Creation Group, the intermediary between the two side
There were no confirmed reports of casualties, and the skirmishes are among the latest that have plagued the region in wake of a deal to reduce such exchanges.
"They fought while on the go," Lamine Gwan Jar said Monday. "I'm not sure about casualties. The clashes occurred when the government troops travelled near a KIA base. They occurred as both sides failed to inform the other about their movements, as required (by the agreement)."
On April 6, bilateral coordination teams from the Myanmar army and Kachin Army Independence/Kachin Independence Organization (KIA/KIO) reached an agreement in the state capital of Myitkyina to prevent further fighting. They agreed to inform each other of any military activity.
The area was also the scene of heavy fighting on January 15 after three police officers escorting Kachin State Transport Minister Kamann Du Naw were abducted by KIA troops a day earlier.
