KIA announces destruction of up to 20 warships heading to Bhamo, nearly entire SAC column destroyed

AYEYARWADDY TIMES September 17 The Kachin Independence Army (KIA) announced yesterday, September 16, that it had destroyed up to 20 warships of the SAC that were heading towards Bhamo. Furthermore, it was learned that an ambush attack was carried out near Kaung Ja Yan village on SAC units that were advancing into KIA-controlled territory, resulting in numerous casualties on the SAC side, the capture of some prisoners of war, and the near destruction of an entire column of approximately 100 soldiers. This SAC column was advancing to recapture the No. 523 Artillery Regiment in Mansi Township, which had been lost. "We were able to destroy up to 20 warships and also attack the reinforcement columns on the 15th until they were destroyed," a Kachin source told the Irrawaddy Times. Regarding the naval battles, up to 8 warships were destroyed on September 2, and two had to surrender their weapons and land. Furthermore, on September 16, one warship sank, and two others turned back and fled. In addition, military officers who were returning from Bhamo to Mandalay were on board the warships that were blown up and sunk between September 13 and 14, and they had to flee to shore for their lives. Currently, SAC units in Bhamo city are conducting offensive operations in the surrounding areas, and aerial bombardments are being carried out almost daily.