Irrawaddy-Apr 1
Myanmar’s military lost its major outpost on the road linking Bhamo town in northeastern Kachin State and China to the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) and allies less than an hour and a half after sunrise today. The strategic outpost of Sinlum Bum outside Momauk Township’s Lwegel town – one of only five border trade towns along the Myanmar-China border – fell to resistance forces at about 7 am today. It had been used by junta troops to control the 60-kilometer road between Bhamo and Lwegel for more than 60 years and had a long history of being used to shell KIA-controlled Mai Ja Yang town. More than 200 junta troops were usually stationed at the outpost before it was captured, residents of Lwegel and KIA troops said. It became one of more than 60 outposts captured by the KIA in the last 22 days, since the KIA and allies, including the Arakan Army, launched coordinated attacks on junta targets along the Bhamo-Myitkyina Road on March 7. The KIA and allies turned their focus to junta targets along the Bhamo-Lwegel Road on March 27 as the junta celebrated Armed Forces Day. The junta’s military has lost most of its outposts and bases in upper Bhamo district over the past 26 days, as well as a large number of troops, including high-ranking officers. A military analyst said the balance of power is shifting to the KIA in key townships of the state’s northernmost area as well as its jade hub. The junta’s military is losing access, he said. “The KIA has the upper hand. It is their decision which of the townships they will seize. We will have to wait and see. It’s up to them,” he said. Read more at: https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/burma/myanmar-military-loses-historic-outpost-on-road-to-china-in-kachin-state.html
