The road follows a new route, but will save travelers a trip through China.

The Kachin Independence Organization (KIO) has officially reopened the Mai Ja Yang-Loije road, according to people living in the area.

The road, which was closed for eight years due to clashes between government forces and the Kachin Independence Army, was reopened on Monday morning, local sources said.

The road connects Mai Ja Yang, which is under KIO control, and the government-controlled town of Loije.

“The KIO reopened the Mai Ja Yang-Loije road today [July 29]. I don’t know if the government and the KIO reached an agreement on the opening of the road,” a Mai Ja Yang resident told KNG.

The source added that the road is not the same as the one that went through Kawng Sa that was formerly used for travel between Mai Ja Yang and Loije, but a new route that passes a graveyard.

The reopening of the road means that travelers between the two towns will no longer have to go through China.