Mizzima
Since taking control of the border town of Lwegel in Momauk Township, Kachin State on 31 March, the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) and its allies have been carrying out clearance operations in the town.
A source close to the KIA said on 2 April: “They took over the town two days ago [31 March]. The cleanup process has already begun. There were skirmishes with the remaining troops in the vicinity of the town. However, the area clearance operation is still ongoing.”
During fighting to capture the town, soldiers from junta Infantry Battalion (IB) 142 and police officers based at Lwegel Police Station fled their posts allowing the KIA and its allies to take control of the town.
Currently, any junta soldiers still remaining in and around Lwegel Town are being pursued and removed by the revolutionary forces.
Fleeing junta soldiers have been crossing the border fence and going into China, according to locals.
“The border fence has been in a state of disrepair for some time. Some soldiers have been observed damaging it and entering from other areas”, said a Lwegel resident.
As a result of the fighting about 1,000 residents have fled from Lwegel Town and sought shelter in nearby villages and religious buildings. Older residents who are unable to flee and have remained in the town are facing security threats and difficulties in earning their livelihoods, according to a member of Kachin Human Rights Watch (KHRW).
Lwegel Town shares a border with Zhangfeng Township in Longchuan County, Yunnan Province, China. According to China’s Global Times, the Chinese military was set to conduct military exercises in two areas of Yunnan Province, including Zhangfeng Township, on 2 and 3 April.
Before taking Lwegel Town, the KIA and its allies had already captured all of the junta army camps along the road between the towns of Lwegel and Momauk. The road is a crucial trade route, but it has been temporarily closed due to the fighting.
Military tensions are reported to be high in Momauk Town with reports that junta artillery fire hit the town early on 2 April. Several structures were apparently damaged, but no one was injured. Also, since 2 April, residents of Momauk Town have been fleeing the fighting.
