Reports spread that fighting in Bhamo Township, Kachin State, had eased following talks between Chinese authorities and the Kachin Independence Organization (KIO), but the Kachin Independence Army (KIA), the KIO's armed wing, claimed clashes were still ongoing.

Fierce fighting between the junta and the KIA continues at the Bhamo University compound on the road from Bhamo Town to Momauk, in the 3-Mile area, and at the junta’s Infantry Battalion 47 base, KIA spokesperson Colonel Naw Bu said.

“Clashes are happening every day in Bhamo. The junta has been shelling Tarmonglong and Nampha villages near Bhamo University and carrying out ground offensives, which keeps the fighting going. There are daily clashes in the 3-Mile area and along the route to the IB 47 base. The junta’s forces have tried to break through, but they haven’t been able to breach our defensive positions. We haven’t captured any new territory, but we haven’t lost any of our current positions either,” he told KNG.

In the second week of October, a KIO delegation met with Chinese authorities in Kunming City, China. Following the meeting, speculation began circulating on social media that fighting in Bhamo Township had eased.

However, daily clashes continue in three areas around Bhamo Town, as the junta’s ground offensives, which began on October 3, show no signs of slowing, KIA frontline sources said.

The KIA launched an offensive in December 2024 aiming to capture Bhamo, Kachin State’s second-largest town. The clashes that started then have now continued for about 10 months. During this time, Reuters reported in July that the Chinese government has been urging both sides to end the fighting in Bhamo.

But the fighting never ceased. From late September, operations by the KIA and allied resistance forces intensified again, and by early October, they had recaptured three previously lost defensive outposts and the Kachin Baptist Convention churchyard in the Shwepyithar area.

“Fighting is going on every day as the junta tries to push forward. There isn’t a single day without the sound of gunfire and artillery,” a KIA fighter said.

In July and August, the junta managed to send a flotilla of more than 20 vessels from Mandalay to Bhamo to reinforce its forces. This allowed junta troops to receive advanced drones and regain an upper hand on the battlefield, forcing the KIA to pull back from some areas they had previously controlled.

Now, the junta is trying to intensify its offensive, while the KIA is working to retake the positions it lost, resulting in daily clashes.

Bhamo, the district capital, is divided into 16 downtown wards. According to the 2019 census, the entire township has a population of over 100,000. Bhamo District also includes the townships of Momauk, Mansi, Shwegu and Bhamo.

In addition, the KIA and its allies control areas on the western bank of the north-flowing Ayeyarwady River, located to the north and west of Bhamo Town.

Since the offensive in Kachin State began in March 2024, KIA and allied forces have captured Mabein in northern Shan State, as well as Pang War, Chipwi, Sumprabum, Sadon, Tsawlaw, N Jang Yang, Phimaw, Dawthponeyan, Sinbo, Myohla, Mansi, Kan Paik Ti, Momauk, and Lweje in Kachin State, while intensifying efforts to capture Bhamo.

On the other hand, there have been reports that the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) has been meeting frequently with KIO delegations in Kunming, aiming to persuade the KIA to halt its offensive on Bhamo.

Military observers are continuing to monitor whether the Chinese intervention will succeed in bringing the fighting in Bhamo to a halt.