KIA and army clash renewed
YANGON - Fighting between government forces and the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) has occurred again near Aung Latt village, Hpakant Township, with tensions rising in Mansi Township, says Major Tan Hsan from the No.6 Brigade of the KIA.
Maj Tan Hsan said: “On October 7, the army attacked. Battles broke out in two places in Jar Yar Yan and near Aung Latt. There were minor injuries on both sides.”
An unidentified KIA officer in Myitkyina said it was unknown how the fighting started.
Skirmishes between the army and the KIA broke out in Mansi Township, Bhamo District, according to Hsan Aung from the Peace Consulting Group (PCG) based in Myitkyina Township.
“It is very disappointing that discussions with the KIA couldn’t be implemented,” said Hsan Aung, who participates in peace negotiations between the government and the KIA.
“Peace negotiations may be delayed. Both sides need to stop fighting first. Fighting breaks trust and prevents any peace process,” Hsan Aung added.
Ethnic leaders from 19 armed groups attended the Chiang Mai summit held in Thailand in late September and 11 ethnic armed groups, including the KIA, have refused to sign the national ceasefire agreement on October 15.
On September 30, the military's Northern Command warned the KIA of possible conflict in Myitkyina.
KIA Deputy Chief of Staff Major-General Guan Maw on October 1 said: “As the government can’t discuss inclusiveness when signing the ceasefire, the KIA decided not to sign it. We want to participate but we demanded all groups should sign the deal together. All of us are of the same mind but the government won't allow all ethnic armed organisations to sign.”
More than 100,000 Kachin residents are living in refugee camps facing difficult living conditions.
