The Kachin Independence Army (KIA) battled with Burma Army (BA) at various locations across Kachin and northern Shan states the last week of July.

According to Col Naw Bu, the spokesperson of Kachin Independence Organisation (KIO), KIA's political wing, they clashed at Waingmaw, Mogaung, and Bhamo townships in Kachin State and in northern Shan State around Muse, Kutkai and Mongkoe.

He said KIA Battalion 3 attacked BA IB-58 in Waingmaw on July 30, and a military checkpoint at Mayang Kahtawng village at 1:30am. The following day, KIA shelled BA's MOC 3 headquarters in Mogaung town.

BA retaliated by launching an artillery attack on KIO's Laiza headquarters and several other areas controlled by the ethnic armed organisation (EAO). Recent fighting also happened in Hpakant Township in Kachin State and northern Shan State, where Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) supported the KIA fighters.

“There were two clashes on the Union Highway between Muse and Kutkai yesterday (July 30),” Col Naw Bu said, explaining that KIA Battalion 36 and MNDAA fought with BA in the Mongkoe area for up to 4 days.

“BA is deploying additional troops around Laiza and Alaw Bum (mountain). They also used ships to send soldiers, weapons and food rations to Bhamo. They have not yet launched a ground offensive against us,” Col Naw Bu told NMG.

There are also People's Defence Forces clashing with BA in Kachin State and Sagaing Region, and in Karen and Karenni states.

Meanwhile, fighting with other EAOs like Karen National Union, in Karen State, Karenni Army, in Karenni State, and other members of the Northern Alliance in Shan State that the KIA and MNDAA are part of has been increasing since the February 1 coup.