Myanmar Army and KIA Clash near Mohnyin Jade Mine

The Myanmar Army and the Kachin Independence Army (KIA)’s Regiment 8 fought for nearly an hour on the outskirts of the southern Kachin State town of Mohnyin on 22 April, the Kachin News Group has learned.

According to reports from the KIA the clashes which broke out near the Aung Thein Linn jade mine in the west of Mohnyin and involved dozens of troops from the Myanmar Army’s Infantry Battalion 54 and the KIA's Battalion 35. The area where the clashes took place is normally under the control of the KIA’s Battalion 35. The Aung Thein Linn mine has only recently begun operations.

Myanmar Army Infantry Battalion 54 arrived in Mawhan in order to replace troops from Light Infantry Battalion 308, which has been active in KIA’s Battalion 35 territory. According to a KIA spokesperson the battle broke out after the Myanmar Army fired at a KIA outpost with heavy artillery. (Courtesy of Mizzima)