At least three villages have fled after fighting broke out with the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) after regime soldiers entered the area they controlled in Momauk Township, not far from a junta camp taken by Kachin soldiers on Alaw Bum last March.

Villagers from Wa Wam, Hka Nan and Lon Ja in Bhamo District took shelter in a church and with their relatives, fearing that the hour-long clash last week would escalate further. “People are really worried about the fighting,” a senior citizen told NMG, asking that his name not be published.

According to locals, the regime had information about KIA troops near Wa Wam, close to Momauk town, and sent 100 battle-ready soldiers to the area, which is about 10 miles from Myo Thit and Kong Lor, located on Salaung Mountain, adjacent to Alaw Bum.

Locals said some regime fighters perished in the fighting, but NMG couldn't independently confirm this information.

After the KIA captured the military's strategically important hilltop camp on Alaw Bum in March last year, fighting continued in Myo Thit, Kong Lor and Sihert, with airstrikes on Kachin soldiers and civilians. However, the junta failed to reassert its position in the area.

The KIA has repeatedly fought against the regime in Kachin and northern Shan states and has regained control of many areas it lost before the coup a year ago.