CNI News
18 Jan 2023
Clashes broke out between the Shanni National Army and allied forces of the Kachin Independence Army and the People's Defence Forces in Kyaukse Village in Banmauk Township in Sagaing Region. Lt-Col Sai Aung Mein of the SNA told the CNI.
The clashes erupted between them from 2 pm to 5 pm on 16th January and tensions between them have escalated, he added.
He told the CNI, "It was learnt that four of the enemies were killed during the fighting and our troops did not suffer any casualties. Our troops have occupied a hill and an outpost. There are so many outposts near Kyaukse Village. I cannot pinpoint the outpost but it is one of the outposts they seized from us last year.
The CNI contacted KIA spokesperson Col Naw Bu, who did not answer the phone.
Troops of the KIA.
It was learnt that fighting broke out in remote Kyaukse Village at the border of Homalin and Banmauk townships, a local resident told the CNI.
He said, " Although the village is famous because a creek is blocked by rock mountains, forming a dam, it is very difficult to access. There is a large monastery but there are only a few households in the village. Its nearest village is Magyigone Village but it takes a long time to travel to the village."
Armed clashes broke out between the SNA and a 200-strong joint force of the KIA and PDFs on 20th August, 2022, when the latter attacked the former. Fighting continued until 23 August the same year.
The two sides fought against each other when the KIA-allied forces launched attacks on an SNA outpost near Hsezin Village in Hpakant Township on 8th August, 2022.
The joint forces of the KIA and the PDF are systematically creating division between the SNA and local residents, Lt-Col Sai Aung Mein said.
Troops of the PDFs.
He said, "The KIA and the PDF want to control the entire Banmauk area and infiltrate Homalin Township. Although they said they are allied forces of the KIA and the PDF, they are forcefully recruiting local residents into the PDFs and forcing them to fight against us. So, we are forced with our own local residents. We don't want to fight our own local residents. They are systematically creating division among us by driving a wedge among us. It is a war that has driven a wedge among our own national races.
The SNA is trying to establishing Shanni State in Mawlike District, Kalay District, Hkamti District, Katha District and Tamu District in Sagaing Region and Bhamo District, Myitkyina District, Mohnyin District and Mokaung District in Kachin State.
The KIA is an ethnic armed group aiming to build a federal union and the PDF is an armed group trying to topple the dictatorship during the Spring Revolution.
