The KIA Battalion 14 under Brigade 2 announced that it will launch guerrilla warfare and plant landmines in the Hukawng Valley area (Tanai Township) so it has warned the business owners and the public to leave the mines immediately.

The KIA announced on April 5 that it will launch the offensives in Shahtuzup Jawang, Nam Byu, Nam Kawn, Tungmani, Dagum Chaung and Daba Chaung Phyar gold and amber mines on April 10.

“We inform the public to go back home because we don’t want them to get hurt. We worry that they will get hurt during the fighting,” said Col Naw Bu, information officer of the Kachin Independence Organization (KIO).

“Everyone is still in the mountains after the Tatmadaw launched the offensives in this Tanai gold and amber mine area, which is controlled by Battalion 14. Everyone hasn’t retreated yet. That’s the first point. The second point is that there are reports of the Tatmadaw telling [the people] to resume work in these gold and amber mines. So, some people have been working in the amber mines again. The third point is that Battalion 14 is unable to establish a stronghold and headquarter in the Battalion 14 area so they have to keep their troops active in this way,” said Col Naw Bu.

In the announcement, the KIA said it is up to their fate if the public fails to listen to their warning and continues to work in the mines.

The KIA also urged the public to inform their families and colleagues after seeing the announcement.

Civilians have been killed during the heavy clashes between the KIA and the Tatmadaw in the amber and gold mines in the Hukawng Valley (Tanai Township) in January.

The KIA Battalion 14 had to abandon its Nam Byu base in Hukawng Valley on March 9 due to the Tatmadaw’s offensives.