There have been reports of many causalities during intense fighting between the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) and troops from the State Administration Council (SAC) in Muse Township in northern Shan State.

According to an anonymous military source, at least 20 SAC soldiers perished when KIA’s Battalion 36, under Brigade 6, seized its Wingla hilltop camp on October 19. The Kachin armed group reportedly also recovered many weapons and ammunition from camp located between Mongbaw and Mong Kong.

A local source said that the next day a SAC jet fighter dumped at least four bombs on the KIA’s camp next to the village of Tima in Nam Oum village-tract, an area where the Ta’ang National Liberation Army and Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army also maintain troops.

Rumours have been circulating on Facebook that at least five KIA soldiers were killed during the airstrike, including a high ranking officer, and many others were wounded. SAC mouthpieces have also claimed that the bombardment killed many KIA soldiers and destroyed many buildings in the camp, and listed these. However, SHAN was unable to reach the Kachin armed group’s spokesperson Col Naw Bu to confirm this information.

Residents fear for their welfare as the fighting continues to escalate in Muse Township.

According to the military source, junta troops shot dead three KIA soldiers on two motorcycles near Nam Salap in Hsenwi Township on October 18.