The Kachin Independence Organization (KIO)’s information officer Col Naw Bu said clashes broke out between the Tatmadaw and battalions under the KIA Brigade 2 area on July 13 and 14.

“There have been confrontations in the 14th battalion area in Tanai after the Tatmadaw launched an offensive. Also, we received reports about the fighting in the 6th battalion area in Hpakant, which has been raging for three or four days due to the Tatmadaw’s movement and the KIA troops have to defend themselves,” he said.

Col Naw Bu continued that the Tatmadaw has been reinforcing its troops.

“We heard news about the reinforcement in Hpakant area last week. The situation may gradually become intense if the Tatmadaw does not withdraw its troops,” he added.

The Tatmadaw and the KIA clashed in the area between Tanai town and Awng Lawt Village in Tanai Township on July 9.

Fighting has also been raging between the KIA and the Tatmadaw in the KIA 6th battalion area in Hpakant since July 10, according to the KIO.

Local residents said they are worried that the fighting may escalate since clashes have been resuming in Tanai and Hpakant townships in the Hukawng Valley a few months after they were halted.

The KIO is a member of the Federal Political Negotiation and Consultative Committee (FPNCC), which is widely known as the Northern Alliance. The FPNCC has officially stated that it will discuss politics with the government via a different path from the nationwide ceasefire agreement (NCA).