Battles Intensify in Bhamo and Shwegu, Many Junta Soldiers Injured and Airlifted for Treatment

It is reported that junta soldiers injured in the ongoing battles in Bhamo and Shwegu townships in Kachin State are being airlifted for medical treatment. It is understood that fierce clashes have occurred continuously after the military advanced towards Nan Phar village in Bhamo Township on September 19th and 20th. According to sources, junta soldiers injured in the intense fighting have been repeatedly transported by helicopter to the Northern Military Command Headquarters (Mapka) in Myitkyina and the Northeastern Military Command Headquarters (Ramaka) in Lashio, northern Shan State. Due to these military tensions, air raid warnings have been issued in KIO-controlled areas such as Mai Ja Yang, Lweje, and Laiza, and some schools have been temporarily closed for a week. "In Laiza, there is a special warning to be vigilant about air raids. In Shwegu and Bhamo, the military is bombing," a Kachin source told the Irrawaddy Times. It is also known that some junta reconnaissance aircraft flew near Laiza on the morning of September 23rd. On September 20th, junta aircraft circled over Mai Ja Yang town, causing schools to be immediately closed for security reasons, and some phone and internet lines were also temporarily disrupted, according to local reports. Since August 21st, the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) and its allies have intercepted military vessels of the junta en route to reinforce Bhamo town between Katha, Shwegu, and Bhamo, resulting in numerous casualties among junta officers and troops. The KIA announced on September 16th that they had destroyed about 20 junta vessels during these battles. Intense fighting is ongoing between junta columns that can land near Sin Kan and the KIA, with the KIA pursuing them.