KIA Recaptures Some Areas Near Shweku Town, Junta Forces Defend Using Airstrikes

Fighting continues fiercely between the junta forces and the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) joint forces in Shweku Township, Kachin State, with sources indicating that the KIA has recaptured and is in control of some territories. According to local news, the KIA has recently recaptured and taken control of areas such as Nga La San, Nyaung Pin Kway, Lambror, and Manwinlay near Shweku town, and the fighting continues to be intense. "The KIA has reoccupied the territories between Nga Oh and Shweku. I have heard that they are also blocking and fighting against troops heading towards Sinkhan," a Kachin source told the Irrawaddy Times. It is reported that fighting continues fiercely at the Upper Nga La San and Lower Nga La San junctions south of Shweku town, with the junta forces heavily utilizing airstrikes in their attacks. The junta forces also carried out bombing attacks around the Upper Nga La San and Lower Nga La San junctions using a Y12 transport aircraft on June 6. It is understood that the junta's Infantry Division 4, consisting of about 700 soldiers, which was advancing towards the Sinkhan Bridge via Shweku, is currently surrounded and blockaded. Furthermore, although the junta forces in the Bhamo military district have recaptured most of the territory, they have not yet been able to move their columns towards the south of the town. According to Major Zin Yaw of the CDM (Civil Disobedience Movement), while junta columns from Shweku and Bhamo used to advance alternately to clear routes, currently only some columns are heading towards the Myitkyina-Bhamo highway, and they have not been able to move towards Shweku. Therefore, the junta columns in the Bhamo military district are also facing a situation where they cannot advance and are blockaded. Meanwhile, a fleet of warships, intended to resupply troops with personnel, provisions, and ammunition for the year, is reportedly sailing up the Chindwin River, and it is expected that the fleet will be able to march to Bhamo only after completing its journey to Homalin, according to military sources. Photo caption: KIA soldiers.