The junta flotilla, which set off from Mandalay, Myanmar’s second-largest city, and moved upstream along the Ayeyarwady River, arrived in its final destination, Bhamo Town, on August 1. The arrival came amid ongoing clashes, as the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) mounted an offensive to capture the town, the second largest in Kachin State.
After docking for several days in the last week of July in Shwegu Town, located in Kachin State’s Shwegu Township, the flotilla resumed its journey on July 30 and reached Bhamo Town two days later. During the journey, KIA and allied forces ambushed the flotilla from both sides of the river, prompting the junta to deploy air support, sparking intense clashes along the route.
“Not far from Shwegu Town, there’s a village called Zinpon where heavy fighting broke out. As the flotilla moved along the river, junta ground troops marched in parallel along the banks to provide cover. The junta also deployed jet fighters and Y-12 utility aircraft for bombing missions to clear the way ahead. Despite the intense clashes, the flotilla was able to push forward, though one of its ships was sunk along the way,” said Colonel Naw Bu, spokesperson for the KIA.
He also said it is believed that around six ships from the junta flotilla were stalled midway along the river between Shwegu and Bhamo after coming under fire from the KIA and its allies.
“Six ships were left stuck between Shwegu and Bhamo. It’s believed that around 11 ships made it to Bhamo, but most of those were smaller escort vessels guarding the main transport ships. We’re still looking into how many of the larger supply ships actually reached the town,” Colonel Naw Bu told MNJ.
The flotilla was primarily transporting supplies, food, and weapons, with only a limited number of troops on board to provide security. It is also believed that on its return downstream, the flotilla will be used to evacuate the families of junta troops stationed in Bhamo Town.
The junta flotilla set out on July 17 from Mandalay City and faced heavy ambushes by resistance forces along the route, resulting in the loss of several vessels. The flotilla started with about 20 vessels at the beginning of the journey, but only 11 managed to reach Bhamo Town.
The junta launched the flotilla’s risky upstream journey, supported by large-scale air cover, to deliver weapons, ammunition, and supplies to its troops trapped in Bhamo Town amid heavy KIA encirclement.
With the goal of capturing Bhamo, the KIA, supported by its allies, the Arakan Army (AA) and the Kachin People’s Defence Force (Kachin PDF), launched an offensive on the town starting December 4, 2024.
