The Kachin Independence Army (KIA) captured a junta guard post in Bhamo on 14 January, marking a significant advancement in the months-long battle for Kachin State’s second-largest city. During the operation, 20 soldiers from the military’s Light Infantry Division (LID) 88 surrendered to resistance forces.
“They took control of the base located in front of Battalion 933. The prisoners were taken there. Battalion 933 itself hasn’t fallen yet. The captured areas include the surrounding guard posts,” said a Kachin local source.
The KIA took control of an outpost and other junta guard posts on 14 January in front of the junta’s Supply and Transport Battalion 933 (also known as 933 Logistics Battalion), according to another source. Twenty junta soldiers from the LID 88 surrendered during this battle.
Colonel Naw Bu, the KIA’s Press and Information Officer, responded to a request for additional information about the base’s seizure and the surrender of 20 junta personne by stating that he only knew of the fighting and was unable to confirm specifics at this time due to communication issues.Communications & Media Studies
“In Bhamo, fighting is occurring practically every day. I’ve heard that it was a bit more intense yesterday and the day before. However, I haven’t gotten enough details to confirm exactly where and how it happened. We are still looking into this,” Colonel Naw Bu told Mizzima.
On 26 December, there were reports that the KIA had seized the camps of Infantry Battalion (IB) 47 and Ordnance Depot 641 in Bhamo. However, the IB 47 camp has not been fully seized yet, and the battle is ongoing, according to the source.
“They (KIA) entered and attacked the battalion (IB 47) camp. The outcome is still unknown. We just know they managed to enter more than half of the camp,” the source said.
The battle to capture Bhamo began in late 2024, and by early 2025, the KIA had captured the camps of Artillery Battalion 366, Armoured Battalion 7006, and a tank battalion, as well as Bhamo Airport. As the battle for Bhamo continued, the junta had to rely on air support to replenish its troops and ammunition.
Heavy fighting resumed in August 2025 after the junta dispatched 11 river vessels carrying troops to Bhamo along the Ayeyarwady River from Mandalay’s Gaw Wein Jetty.
The junta was able to retake the Artillery Battalion 366 camp in September after these ships arrived.
Military Operations Command 21 (MOC-21), IB 47, Artillery Battalion 366, Field Medical Battalion 11, Military Engineer Battalion 914, Supply and Transport Battalion 933, and a battalion under LID 88 are among the junta forces in Bhamo. Fighting is currently ongoing around their bases.
