KIO Questions Nearly 200 PoWs Captured in Riverine Ambush Near Shwegu

The Kachin Independence Organization (KIO) has initiated interrogations of nearly 200 prisoners of war (PoWs) captured during a high-stakes military operation targeting a junta naval flotilla near Shwegu Town in Kachin State, officials confirmed. The captives were taken after the Kachin Independence Army (KIA)—the armed wing of the KIO—and allied resistance forces ambushed the 15-vessel regime convoy traveling upstream along the Ayeyarwady River. The KIO transferred all detainees to a secure facility before commencing investigations. “They are currently under the custody of our military division,” KIO spokesperson Colonel Naw Bu said. “It is too early to specify the exact ratio of active soldiers to non-combatants, but everyone has been relocated to a safe location, and questioning is underway.” Frontline KIA sources reported that approximately 190 individuals were captured, including 151 military personnel and conscripts, 17 police officers, 16 wives of military personnel, and six children, indicating that soldiers were traveling alongside family members. The flotilla originally departed from Mandalay on August 21 to deliver critical reinforcements, ammunition, and supplies to besieged junta outposts in Bhamo Township. Upon reaching Shwegu in late August, the convoy faced intense bombardment from resistance forces as it attempted to push toward Bhamo on September 2. Overwhelmed by the assault, two vessels raised white flags and surrendered to resistance fighters, while five other vessels sustained severe damage. Despite heavy losses, seven vessels managed to break through and dock in Bhamo on September 3. The Ayeyarwady River remains a vital resupply corridor for the regime as it struggles to maintain control over Bhamo amidst ongoing resistance offensives across northern Myanmar.