CNI News

28 July 2023

There is a military tension between Shanni Nationalities Army (SNA) and Kachin Independence Army (KIA)/ People's Defense Force (PDF) joint forces near Naung Bo Aung
Village in Homalin Township, Sagaing Region reportedly battle took place between SNA and KIA/PDF joint forces in Hlwa Zin Gon Village in the morning on 21st July, 2023 and the two sides are in military tension. 
Moreover, local residents from Hlwa Zin Gon and Aung Bin villages have displaced, said a local resident to CNI News.

SNA forces have deployed at Hlwa Zin Gon and KIA/PDF joint forces, at Aung Bin Village, so battles may take place at any time." Because the sides fired with big weapons each other, villagers from the two villages did not dare to go on living in their villages, he said.

The place where a battle took place between SNA and KIA/PDF joint forces

There are over 300 households in Hlwa Zin Gon and about 70 households in Aung Bin. Due to the battle, villagers from the two villages have migrated to Naung Bo Aung, Min Bwe and Thaphan Gone villages, he added.

" They have just surrounded us. Sometimes, some of them fired from a distance and run away. That's all." said Lt-Col Sai Aung Mein, spokesperson of the SNA.

HPDF-124 that is being active in Homalin Township

The battles between SNA and KIA/PDF joint forces are taking place in Banmauk Township and although KIA/PDF have wanted to penetrate into Homalin Township through Banmauk Township, they haven't able to penetrate as yet and have been active more reliably on Nam Nan - Naung Bo Aung route reportedly.

SNA is an ethnic armed organization that is struggling to establish the Shanni State containing Maulike District, Kalay District, Khamti District, Kathar District and Tamu District in Sagaing Region and Bamaw District, Myitkyina District, and Mohnyin District in Kachin State.