Military tensions between the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) and the junta army have increased in the area controlled by KIA Brigade 8 following a series of airstrikes, according to locals.

On 21 November five junta fighter jets carried out three separate airstrikes on territory controlled by the KIA in Kachin State’s Mohnyin Township. According to locals, these attacks have increased tensions between the KIA and the junta army in the area.

According to a KIA intelligence officer the junta carried out the airstrikes because the KIA was transporting military supplies and weapons between the areas controlled by KIA Brigade 8 and KIA Brigade 9.

He said that five fighter jets from Mandalay's Tada U Air Force Base twice attacked a former KIA military training ground next to KIA Brigade 8 headquarters, first at 1:00 a.m. and then later at 11:00 a.m. on 21 November.

In between these attacks, at noon, several villagers were wounded when the fighter jets also attacked Darwal Village, which is close to KIA Brigade 8 headquarters.

Current casualty numbers are unknown, but Darwal Village has more than 100 households and a population of nearly 300 people.