KIO Holds Junta Flotilla Captives Under International Law, Begins Screening Civilians

The Kachin Independence Organization (KIO) is holding more than 100 prisoners of war and civilians captured from an intercepted military junta river flotilla in accordance with international law, according to KIA spokesperson Col. Naw Bu. The captives were taken on Sept. 2 when Kachin Independence Army (KIA) forces and allied groups intercepted a 15-vessel junta flotilla traveling upstream along the Ayeyarwady River between Shwegu and Bhamo towns. KIA forces destroyed eight vessels during the ambush, forcing several ships to surrender, while seven remaining vessels reached Bhamo. Col. Naw Bu stated that screening is underway to separate active combatants from non-combatants. Among those detained are 26 youths aged 18 to 22 who testified to being forcibly recruited under the regime's conscription law, as well as 17 married women and eight children brought along by junta personnel. The screening process comes as the military regime launches another reinforcement attempt. A second junta flotilla of 31 vessels that departed from Mandalay on Sept. 5 has reached Sagaing Region's Tigyaing Township by Sept. 8, prompting resistance forces to warn riverine communities of potential airstrikes and artillery bombardments. Fierce ground clashes continue in Shwegu Township and around Bhamo, where the KIA has maintained a major offensive against regime positions since late 2024.