The regime has long pursued a divide-and-conquer strategy against Burma's many ethnic groups, said Col Naw Bu, spokesperson of the Kachin Independence Organisation (KIO). Recently, ethnic People's Militia Forces were called up to assist the military in battles against Kachin resistance forces fighting the dictatorship in Putao District.

This month, the military called in the Rawng PMF, led by Tang Gu Tang, after fighting intensified with the KIO's armed wing, the Kachin Independence Army (KIA), which is backed by the People's Defence Force (PDF). “Sometimes the Burma Army (BA) would order a local PMF to fight with us, and other times to guide them,” says the KIO spokesperson.

He said the military has recently trained hundreds of PMF fighters in the area. The PMF has also coerced civilians to participate in basic military training that started last May in Putao, Nogmung and Kawnglanghpu townships.

A man, who didn't want to be named, said the military launched an airstrike on Sumpyi where Jinghpaw and Lisu live after the KIA and the PDF attacked a BA camp nearby. After the regime moved more troops into their area, everyone was worried that more fighting was imminent.

Col Naw Bu said that fighting has been going on since the beginning of February and last week they were fighting on Shin Kap Mountain near the village, which started after the KIA and the PDF ambushed a regime convoy carrying food and military equipment on the road from Putao to Myitkyina. The KIA has also attacked camps at Lon Shar Yang, Tang Ja, N'se Yang, Hpert Mar villages.