KIA Battalion 27 overrun by Burmese Army

The Kachin Independence Army (KIA) headquarters of Battalion 27 in southeast Kachin State in Northern Burma was overrun by the Burmese Army and is under its control as of Monday afternoon, said KIA officers on the frontline.

This is the first battalion under the 3rd Brigade, which has fallen to government troops, in the ongoing civil war between the two sides over the past six months.

The battalion officers told Kachin News Group that the battalion headquarters was deserted by KIA troops because they failed to resist the strong military offensive launched by the Burmese troops.

The battalion headquarters is situated in Balawng Dingsa, around five miles north of Manwin town in Manmaw (Bhamo) district.

From early November, President Thein Sein’s government has deployed several hundred troops from the two army divisions--- Meiktila-based Light Infantry Division No. 99 and Bago-based LID No. 77. And hundreds more from Kyaukme-based Military Operation Command-1 under the Lashio-based Northeast Regional Command, to Manwin and Nam Hkam towns which are close to KIA’s Battalion No. 1 and No. 27.

The Burmese Army is launching a strong military offensive against KIA in those areas to wrest back control of the Muse-Nam Hkam-Manmaw Road, which connects Kachin State and Shan State from the KIA.
http://www.kachinnews.com/news/2165-kia-battalion-27-overrun-by-burmese-army.html