A Kachin Independence Army (KIA)-led coalition seized three bases belonging to the junta-aligned Shanni Nationalities Army (SNA) in Homalin Township, Sagaing Region on 18 and 19 November 2024.
The camps, near to the border with Kachin State, were manned by SNA members and members of the junta-aligned Pyu Saw Htee militia.
Shwetwin and Rarlartee camps were captured on 18 November and Saipan Camp, an SNA hilltop camp overlooking Saipan Village, was seized at about 5:00 am on the morning of 19 November, according to a KIA frontline source who spoke to KNG.
He said: “We began attacking SNA camps in this area on 25 October. Yesterday, we successfully captured the Rarlartee camp and the Shwetwin camp at the Shwetwin crossroads. Since then, we have encircled the Saipan camp, forcing the enemy to flee. This morning, we captured the abandoned Saipan camp.”
Previously, on 3 November, in Homalin Township, Sagaing Region the KIA coalition captured the SNA’s Shitmyethna Pagoda hill camp and Pangchei camp.
The KIA led coalition began attacking SNA camps in the border area between Kachin State and Sagaing Region on 25 October. The fighting to take the camps was fierce and the junta launched almost daily airstrikes against the attacking forces which killed two members of the Kachin People's Defence Force (KPDF) who were fighting as part of the KIA coalition.
A member of the KPDF said : “The clashes were intense, and we also suffered casualties. One of our comrades was killed on 16 November, and another the following day. The SNA also endured heavy losses. Most recently, on 18 November, junta aircraft conducted two air raids.”
Now that the KIA led coalition has captured the five bases in the region the fighting has stopped but the military situation in the area is still tense.
Before their capture the five SNA camps housed approximately 200 SNA and Pyu-Saw-Htee fighters between them.
The area where the attacks took place is in an area mainly under the control of KIA Battalion 26, which stretches from Hpakant Township in Kachin State to Homalin Township in Sagaing Region.
