2024 Kachin offensive

Last updated

2024 Kachin offensive
Part of the Myanmar civil war
Date7 March 2024 – present
(10 months and 4 weeks)
Location
Kachin State
Status Ongoing
Territorial
changes		 Kachin forces capture over 90 SAC positions along the Myitkyina-Bhamo Road [1] [2]
Kachin forces capture Sadung [3]
Kachin forces capture and abolish Kachin Special Region-1 [4]
Belligerents
Flag of the Armed Forces (Tatmadaw) of Myanmar.svg  Tatmadaw Kachin Independence Army flag.svg Kachin Independence Army and several other Kachin-based resistance groups
Commanders and leaders
Units involved

Flag of the Armed Forces (Tatmadaw) of Myanmar.svg  Tatmadaw

Pro-junta groups

Other anti-junta forces:

Strength
Unknown 21,500+
Casualties and losses
40+ killed
"100s surrendered" [1] 		6+ killed

The Kachin Independence Army's (KIA) offensive in Kachin State, known unofficially as Operation 0307 (after the date it began), is an ongoing military operation against the Tatmadaw military junta of Myanmar which began on 7 March 2024. Primarily centred along the road connecting Myitkyina to Bhamo, Operation 0307 was launched to capture junta bases which could threaten Laiza, the headquarters of the KIA. [9] Operation 0307 was launched alongside concurrent KIA offensives against Hpakant and northern Shan State, and concurrent resistance offensives throughout Myanmar.

Contents

Previous Offensives

Hpakant

Starting late February 2024, the KIA and KPDF launched raids on Tatmadaw positions in Hpakant. [10] During April 2024, the KIA launched attacks on Tatmadaw and SNA positions in Hpakant Township. They seized a base overlooking the road between Hpakant and Kamaing, where checkpoints were used to extort civilians and collect vehicle fines. [11] Eventually, they, along with the Kachin People's Defense Force, seized the last outpost near the Hpakant-Tamakan-Sezin road. [12]

Northern Shan State

After the Chinese-brokered ceasefire in Northern Shan State between the Three Brotherhood Alliance and the Tatmadaw, the Kachin Independence Army (KIA), alongside the Kachin People's Defense Force (KPDF) and the All Burma Students' Democratic Front (ABSDF), began an offensive into northern Shan State with the objective to capture Mongmit District. On 18 January, the allied forces began attacks on Mongmit, captured the Mongmit Police Station and 2 nearby villages. [13] Junta forces responded with air and artillery barrages on the town, forcing allied resistance to put the town under siege. [14] During the offensive on Mongmit, the KIA and allied forces also began launching attacks on neighboring Mabein on 19 January. On 21 January, after several days of fighting, allied resistance captured Mabein and most of the surrounding township. [15] During fighting in Mansi Township on the same day, 17 junta soldiers were forced to cross the China-Myanmar border. [16] On 25 March, allied resistance was forced to withdraw from Mongmit. On 26 March, the KIA captured Nam Hpat Kar village in Kutkai Township. [17]

Tensions with the TNLA

The KIA and the Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA), members of the Northern Alliance and allies, began to experience tense relations in the beginning of February. On 4 February, it was reported that 50 KIA soldiers entered Kutkai, which has been under the control of the TNLA since January. The soldiers told a TNLA checkpoint that they would not stay the night, but they proceeded to deploy in the town centre to celebrate Kachin Revolution Day, setting up flags and telling households to send representatives to a military parade they were reportedly holding the next day without informing the TNLA. In response, the TNLA removed flags and reportedly threatened unarmed civilians. [18] Due to rumours that the KIA was planning to advance on the town from positions in Nam Hpat Kar, residents of Kutkai were concerned that clashes between the 2 armies could erupt. [18]

Timeline

Operation 0307

On 7 March, the KIA simultaneously launched attacks on over ten junta outposts in eastern Kachin. Fighting primarily took place along the highway between Bhamo and the Kachin State capital, Myitkyina, as well as around Laiza. The attacks were the beginning of a wider offensive in Kachin State- colloquially termed Operation 0307. [19] Over 8 March, the KIA seized three major junta bases and several outposts, including Hpyun Pyen Bum, a junta's closest forward base to Laiza. [20] The KIA and AA continued defending their headquarters and they allege that junta airstrikes had landed on the Chinese side of the border, east of Laiza. [21] During the fighting, a Lisu junta-aligned Lisu National Development Party militia leader was killed in Aung Myay Thit village. [6]

On 8 March, the KIA captured a junta camp north of Sumprabum and began attacking the town and its junta garrison post on 14 March. The attacks were likely part of a larger objective to block off northern Kachin for future offensives into Putao. [22] A week after the start of the offensive, Dawthponeyan subtownship was captured the KIA. [23]

By 22 March, the KIA claimed to have captured over 50 military outposts and 13 strategically significant junta bases around the Myitkyina-Bhamo Road, including: all outposts surrounding Laiza, battalion headquarters in 5 townships, and camps near the KIA's old headquarters of Pajau. [1] The Irrawaddy predicted on 23 March that the KIA might attack Bhamo, the headquarters of the 21st Military Operations Command, as the next target of their offensive. [24]

On 28 March, KIA seized two junta bases in Yaw Yone and Nga Gayan near Lweje town on the Chinese border in Momauk Township. [25] By 1 April, the KIA captured the entirety of the Bhamo-Lweje road. [26] On 9 April, the KIA captured Lweje, stating that border trade would resume after a few weeks. [27]

On 11 April, Namtyar village was captured by the KIA along the Hpakant-Kamaing road, cutting off one of the major roads to Hpakant. [28] On 24 April, after weeks of attacks, the KIA captured Sezin, cutting off all major roads to Hpakant and completely encircling the town. [29] After capturing the town's police station over a month earlier, the KIA captured Sinbo on 29 April, cutting off the Bhamo-Myitkyina road and encircling Bhamo. [30]

On 4 May, the KIA launched simultaneous offensives on junta positions in several areas throughout Waingmaw Township, capturing several junta bases. Between 4-5 May, the KIA captured the Sumprabum Tactical Command Center and several junta camps around Sumprabum. [31] By 8 May, the entirety of Sumprabum and its surrounding township was captured. [32] The same day, the KIA announced that it had captured over 80 junta outposts, including 11 battalion headquarters, since the start of the offensive. [23]

On 9 May, the KIA reported that junta soldiers had withdrew from Momauk, and that they had captured both Momauk and neighboring Mansi's police stations. [33] [34] The same day, the KIA launched an attack on the Balaminhtin Bridge at the entrance to Myitkyina. [35] By 13 May, the KIA claimed to have captured half of Mansi. [36] On 16 May, the KIA captured the Nam Byu base southwest of Tanai. [37]

On 18 May, KIA-led resistance ambushed reinforcements sent by the junta from Putao to recaptured Sumprabum, leading to heavy junta casualties. [38] The same day, the KIA launched an offensive in Waingmaw Township, capturing almost a dozen junta bases by 20 May. [39] On 19 May, KIA forces captured the junta base controlling the entrance to Waingmaw. [40]

On 4 June renewed clashes broke out outside of Momeik after KIA forces advanced to Lelgyi village. After an hour, KIA forces retreated. [41] On 11 June, KIA forces launched an offensive to capture the Waingmaw-Sadung-Kanpaikti road. The next day, the entire road had been captured, with junta forces retreating from Sadung and Waingmaw, and cutting off Myitkyina from the border. [42] A Border Guard Force outpost was also captured. [43] On 15 July, junta forces launched an offensive to recapture areas near Momauk. [44] On 15 August, KIA forces capture the La Maung Camp, overlooking Hpakant. [45] On 19 August, KIA forces captured the last junta base in Momauk after months of fighting, completing their capture of the township. [46] Shortly after, junta forces launched a counteroffensive to retake the town, but were stalled at Aung Myay village. [47] On 7 September, KIA forces began attacking Singtawn -outside Hpakant- after junta forces raided a hotel in the area, capturing the village 1 month later. [48] In late September, it was reported that junta forces were preparing an offensive to retake Sumprabum and Tiyangzug. [49]

Capture of Kachin Special Region-1

On 29 September, the KIA launched an offensive on Chipwi and Hsawlaw, capturing both towns by 2 October. The offensive marked the beginning of a wider operation across Special Region-1, which had been controlled by the junta-aligned New Democratic Army – Kachin (officially the Kachin Border Guard Force) since 1994. The KIA requested for the defection of the Border Guard Forces, which was denied. [50] In response, the KIA launched an offensive on Kachin BGF battalions 1002 and 1003, capturing both by 22 October. [51] [52] After the bases capture, the KIA captured the BGF headquarters in the town of Pang War on 20 October after Kachin BGF leader Zahkung Ting Ying fled to China. [53] On 1 November, the KIA launched an attack on the final BGF 1001 bases at Nuzaungbaung and Phimaw, capturing both by the next day. Border Guard Forces reportedly fled to Kangfang (Ganfai), which the KIA captured days later. [54] On 10 November, KIA forces captured Lanse village, the last NDA-K base in northern Kachin Special Region 1 (KSR1). [55] On 20 November, despite Chinese pressure not to, the KIA captured Kanpaikti, the final NDA-K base. [56] Kanpaikti's capture brought the entirety of Special Region-1 under KIA control. The region was subsequently abolished with the KIA intending to integrate it with the rest of Kachin State. [57]

Bhamo offensive

On 4 December, the KIA initiated an offensive in Bhamo District. The KIA took full control of Mansi on 8 January after defeating Light Infantry Battalions 319 and 601, as well as Artillery Battalion 352. [58] The KIA simultaneously attacked Bhamo town, which hosts Military Operations Command 21. On 26 January, the KIA seized Bhamo Airport. [59]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kachin State</span> State of Myanmar

Kachin State is the northernmost state of Myanmar. It is bordered by China to the north and east, Shan State to the south, and Sagaing Region and India to the west. It lies between north latitude 23° 27' and 28° 25' longitude 96° 0' and 98° 44'. The area of Kachin State is 89,041 km2 (34,379 sq mi). The capital of the state is Myitkyina. Other important towns include Bhamo, Mohnyin and Putao.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kachin Independence Army</span> Armed group in Myanmar

The Kachin Independence Army is a non-state armed group and the military wing of the Kachin Independence Organization (KIO), a political group of ethnic Kachins in Northern Myanmar. The Kachins are a coalition of six tribes whose homeland encompasses territory in China's Yunnan, Northeast India and Kachin State in Myanmar.

Momauk (Shan: ဝဵင်းမိူင်းမွၵ်) is a town in the Kachin State in the northernmost part of Myanmar. During the Myanmar civil war, the area between Momauk and Bhamo became a focal point of intense conflict, and Momauk was captured by the Kachin Independence Army in August 2024.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lweje</span> Town in Kachin State, Myanmar

Lweje is a town in Kachin State in northeastern Burma, across the China-Myanmar border from Zhangfeng, in Longchuan County, Yunnan Province, China. It is one of five official border trade posts with China.

Sumprabum is a town in the Kachin State of the northernmost part of the Myanmar.

Mansi is a town in Bhamo District, Kachin State in the northernmost part of Myanmar. Mansi is connected by the National Highway 31 from the south and is the western terminus of the National Road 36 which connects Mansi to Muse on the Chinese border in the east. During the Myanmar civil war, the town came under attack by the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) in May 2024. Following around 8 months of sporadic fighting, the town was captured by the KIA on 8 January 2025.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">New Democratic Army – Kachin</span> Ethnic insurgent group in Myanmar

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The battles of Alaw Bum were a series of engagements that took place during the early days of the Myanmar civil war on the Alaw Bum Hill in Momauk Township, Kachin State. The Kachin Independence Army attacked and captured the Alaw Bum military base forcing out State Administration Council defenders and repelling future assaults on the base. The Alaw Bum base is located on the China-Myanmar border near the KIA headquarters in Laiza.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pang War</span> Town in Kachin State, Myanmar

Pang War is a town in Chipwi Township, Myitkyina District, Kachin State, Northeastern Myanmar. The town lies along the China–Myanmar border and serves as a border crossing between the two countries.

On 4 December 2024 the Kachin Independence Army, All Burma Students Democratic Front and others Kachin-based resistance groups, launched an operation to capture Bhamo. The operation has targeted also Bhamo Township and Mansi Township. While losses seem heavy on both sides, thousands civilians are trapped in the town under constant airstrikes, artillery and drone bombardment.

References

  1. 1 2 3 "KIA: Nine Myanmar Junta Strongholds Seized in Two Days". The Irrawaddy. 23 March 2024.
  2. ↑ "Myanmar's Military is Being Cornered in Kachin State, Ethnic Army Says". The Irrawaddy. 14 May 2024.
  3. ↑ "KIA Captures 5 Military Bases in One Day .Sadung – Waingmaw Road Declared as Junta-free Zone". Kachin News Group. 12 June 2024.
  4. ↑ "KIA Abolishes Kachin State's Special Region-1 on China-Myanmar Border". The Irrawaddy. 29 November 2024.
  5. ↑ "KIA Seizes Three Junta Positions in Battle for Myanmar-China Trade Route". The Irrawaddy. 11 June 2024.
  6. 1 2 "Junta-allied Lisu militia leader killed in battle with Kachin forces". Myanmar Now. 8 March 2024. Archived from the original on 8 March 2024.
  7. ↑ []
  8. ↑ []
  9. ↑ "KIA Attacks Over 10 Myanmar Military Outposts on Road Near China Border". The Irrawaddy. 7 March 2024.
  10. ↑ Fight for Myanmar jade mines leaves one dead, 100 homes torched. Radio Free Asia. March 6, 2024. Archived March 14, 2024, at the Wayback Machine
  11. ↑ KIA Seizes Myanmar Junta Base Controlling Access to Jade Hub Hpakant. The Irrawaddy. April 11, 2024. Archived April 28, 2024, at the Wayback Machine
  12. ↑ KIA Seizes Myanmar Junta’s Final Hpakant Road. The Irrawaddy. April 24, 2024. Archived May 12, 2024, at the Wayback Machine
  13. ↑ "Junta attacks northern Shan State town by air in attempt to halt Kachin forces". Myanmar Now. 19 January 2024.
  14. ↑ "Four Myanmar Junta Battalions Surrounded in Shan Town". The Irrawaddy. 18 January 2024.
  15. ↑ "KIA-Led Troops Seize Another Shan Town From Myanmar Junta". The Irrawaddy. 22 January 2024.
  16. ↑ "Myanmar Junta Troops Escape to China After KIA Attack". The Irrawaddy. 22 January 2024.
  17. ↑ "Junta Battalion Controlling Myanmar-China Trade Route Surrenders to KIA". The Irrawaddy. 26 January 2024.
  18. 1 2 "Tension High Between KIA and TNLA in Northern Shan State". The Irrawaddy. 14 February 2024.
  19. ↑ "KIA mounts new offensive, targeting air base, outposts near Myitkyina and Laiza". Myanmar Now. 7 March 2024.
  20. ↑ Maung Shwe Wah; Min Maung (8 March 2024). "KIA and allies seize three large Myanmar army bases near Laiza". Myanmar NOW.
  21. ↑ "Bombs Hit China as War Escalates in Myanmar's Kachin State". The Irrawaddy. 8 March 2024. Archived from the original on 8 March 2024.
  22. ↑ Min Min; Maung Shwe Wah. "KIA, allies continue bid to take full control of northern Kachin town".
  23. 1 2 "KIA Takes Four Towns, Over 80 Myanmar Junta Bases Since Launching Offensive Two Months Ago". The Irrawaddy. 8 May 2024.
  24. ↑ "KIA: Nine Myanmar Junta Strongholds Seized in Two Days". The Irrawaddy. 23 March 2024.
  25. ↑ "Myanmar Junta Loses Another Town, More Bases in Four Days of Resistance Attacks". The Irrawaddy. 29 March 2024.
  26. ↑ "Myanmar Junta Loses More Bases, Scores of Troops in Five Days of Resistance Attacks". The Irrawaddy. 1 April 2024.
  27. ↑ "KIA captures trade hub on China-Myanmar border". Myanmar Now. 9 April 2024. Retrieved 31 May 2024.
  28. ↑ "KIA Seizes Myanmar Junta Base Controlling Access to Jade Hub Hpakant". The Irrawaddy. 11 April 2024.
  29. ↑ "KIA Seizes Myanmar Junta's Final Hpakant Road". The Irrawaddy. 24 April 2024.
  30. ↑ "Kachin Independence Army takes control of Sinbo town after overrunning Myanmar military base". Myanmar Now. 29 April 2024.
  31. ↑ "KIA Confirms Capture of Sumprabum Tactical Command Centre and Moves Closer to Complete Control along the Myitkyina-Bhamo Road". Myitkyina Journal. 6 May 2024.
  32. ↑ "Kachin State Suffers Fuel Crisis as Fighting Blocks Trade". The Irrawaddy. 8 May 2024.
  33. ↑ "KIA Advances on Myanmar Junta's Kachin State Power Hub". The Irrawaddy. 9 May 2024.
  34. ↑ "Clashes displace civilians in Kachin State as anti-junta offensive proceeds". Myanmar Now. 9 May 2024.
  35. ↑ "KIA fighters attack Myanmar junta's security gate in Kachin State's Myitkyina Town". Mizzima. 13 May 2024.
  36. ↑ "Myanmar's Military is Being Cornered in Kachin State, Ethnic Army Says". The Irrawaddy. 14 May 2024.
  37. ↑ "Another military base falls to KIA-led forces in Myanmar's north". Myanmar Now. 20 May 2024.
  38. ↑ "Reinforcements Sent by Junta Wiped Out by KIA-led Offensive in Putao District". Kachin News Group. 29 May 2024.
  39. ↑ "Myanmar's KIA Claims Big Gains in Lightning Kachin Offensive". The Irrawaddy. 20 May 2024.
  40. ↑ "KIA captures junta army base on outskirts of Waingmaw Town, Kachin State". Mizzima. 24 May 2024.
  41. ↑ "Myanmar Military, Kachin Independence Army Clash in Northern Shan State". The Irrawaddy. 7 June 2024.
  42. ↑ "KIA Captures 5 Military Bases in One Day .Sadung – Waingmaw Road Declared as Junta-free Zone". Kachin News Group. 12 June 2024.
  43. ↑ "KIA Seizes Three Junta Positions in Battle for Myanmar-China Trade Route". The Irrawaddy. 11 June 2024.
  44. ↑ "Clashes intensify in Kachin State as Myanmar army moves to regain ground". Myanmar Now. 18 July 2024.
  45. ↑ "The failure of the La Maung strategic camp in Hpakant; The sound of artillery and gunfire was deafening". Mizzima (in Burmese). 15 August 2024.
  46. ↑ "KIA: Momauk Township Seized from Myanmar Junta". The Irrawaddy. 20 August 2024.
  47. ↑ "KIA Fighting Off Myanmar Junta Counteroffensive". The Irrawaddy. 25 September 2024.
  48. ↑ "Kachin Forces Capture Myanmar Junta Stronghold in Jade Hub". The Irrawaddy. 9 October 2024.
  49. ↑ "Junta Believed To Be Preparing for Northern Kachin Offensive". Myitkyina Journal. 9 October 2024.
  50. ↑ "KIA Tells Myanmar Junta Allies to Switch Sides". The Irrawaddy. 3 October 2024.
  51. ↑ Hein Htoo Zan. "Myanmar Junta-Allied Border Battalion Falls in Kachin Rare Earth Hub". The Irrawaddy.
  52. ↑ "KIA Captures Second BGF Battalion Headquarters". Myitkyina Journal. 23 October 2024.
  53. ↑ "KIA Seals Off House of Myanmar Junta-Allied Warlord After Seizing Pangwa". The Irrawaddy. 23 October 2024.
  54. ↑ "KIA Seizes Town on Chinese Border". The Irrawaddy. 4 November 2024.
  55. ↑ "Final Kachin BGF Outpost in Lanse Village, Kachin State Captured". Myitkyina Journal. 11 November 2024.
  56. ↑ "The KIA has captured and cleared the last remaining stronghold of the Border Guard under Chinese pressure". Kachin News Group (in Burmese). 20 November 2024.
  57. ↑ "KIA Abolishes Kachin State's Special Region-1 on China-Myanmar Border". The Irrawaddy. 29 November 2024.
  58. ↑ "KIA Hunting Down Retreating Myanmar Junta Troops". The Irrawaddy. 16 January 2025.
  59. ↑ "KIA, Allies Seize Airport, Armored Unit From Myanmar Junta in Bhamo". The Irrawaddy. 28 January 2025.
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