Ambush Seven Navy Ships Of The Myanmar Military Regime, KIA Armed Ethnic Engage In Fierce Battles

An illustration of a Myanmar Navy patrol boat. (Wikimedia Commons/KMK from Myanmar)

JAKARTA - Seven naval vessels carrying troops and weapons to the Ayeyarwady River were fired upon by the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) near Shwegu City on Monday afternoon, according to a KIA spokesman.

The attack on the naval convoy began near Shwebonthar village, about three miles from Shwegu, KIA information officer Colonel Naw bu told Myanmar Now, as quoted on Wednesday July 28.

"They seem to be planning something, sending reinforcements like this. I heard there were also tanks. We are still monitoring the situation," said Colonel Naw Bu regarding the ambush carried out by KIA armed ethnic groups.

Colonel Naw Bu further explained that the local People's Defense Army (PDF) troops fought alongside KIA, during fierce naval clashes between the Myanmar military regime.

"We sometimes collaborate with PDF, even though it's not something our central command dictates or orders," Colonel Naw Bu said.

The combined forces managed to inflict some damage, but there were no reports of casualties, and the convoy was able to continue its journey, which had begun in Mandalay three days earlier.

According to Kachin Wave, a local news outlet, one of the ships was hit by a grenade launcher (RPG), but was not seriously damaged and was still able to continue its journey.

"The ship that was hit did not sink. [While the RPG] caused some damage," the outlet quoted a source as saying. Meanwhile, Kachin Wave reported, troops on board also shot back at the attackers.

To note, clashes have broken out between the military and KIA in Kachin State since April, when the junta continued to send weapons and reinforcements to conflict zones, often by military or civilian riverboats.

Despite the buildup, there is little evidence of movement among troops based in the area, according to Colonel Naw Bu. He explained that the clashes on Monday occurred after the two sides had not been involved in major clashes in the past week.

However, Kachinnet Burma, which is run by KIA's news and information department, has reported several shootings over the past few days.

It said the Myanmar military regime fired several times last Friday at bases operated by KIA's 3rd and 15th brigades. It happened after the junta troops stepped on a landmine in the KIA Brigade 5 area that day, Colonel Nawbu explained.

"There is also fighting between the military and the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army, also known as the Kokang Army, in the Mong Ko (Mankan) area of northern Shan State, where the KIA 6th Brigade is also active," said Naw Bu.

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