CNI News
12 June 2024
The territory of the Brigade-9 of the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) in Pharkant Township, was attacked by air by the Myanmar Tatmadaw on the night of 9th June, 2024, Col-Nawbu, information officer of the KIA told CNI News.
The territories of the Battalion and the Brigade-9 of the KIA was attacked and the two sides were in a tense military situation, he added.
" The military council launched air attack on the territories of the Battalion-6 and the Brigade-9 of the KIA in Pharkant Township. The two sides are a tense military situation in Kachin State. During this week, there is no ground battle." said Col-Nawbu.
Although there were no ground battles in Waingmaw Township, the Myanmar Tatmadaw was firing with heavy weapons, he said.
While seeing Pharkant region
Because the news that Pharkant Town would be attacked the KIA/PDF joint forces during this month came out, the military council possibly attacked by air in advance and although battles broke out in Pharkant, jade mining industry was not affected, a resident of Pharkant told CNI News.
"People are working on jade mining industry day and night while battles are breaking out on the other hand. The safest place to avoid battles is the jade mining site. Battles took place again after 2012. But all the teaks in Mansi Township were no more. Battles broke out. Warplanes came. The people didn't dare to go out when timber trucks had entered China by the thousand. Battles are no more honest after 1999. Although battles are breaking out, there are 300 to 400 jade mining sites in Pharkant Township alone." he said.
The jade mining business is operating normally without being affected although battles are severely taking place around Pharkant and in Kachin State, which is questionable, according to locals.
While seeing a jade mining site in Pharkant
There are common interests businesses of the top leaders of the KIA and the Myanmar Tatmadaw in Pharkant Township and they would not hurt their businesses, pointed out locals.
"There are their interests here in Pharkant. They are getting their main income from jade mining sites. They can collect tax only when these businesses operate. There are a lot of shared interests businesses of the top leaders from two sides here. They won't hurt these places. So, the industry is operating." said a resident of Pharkant.
Battles were severely breaking out between the Myanmar Tatmadaw and the KIA/PDF joint forces in Waingmaw, Momauk and Bhamo Townships during May and at present, battles have stopped. However, there are occasionally heavy weapon fires there.
