Heavy casualties have been reported among military council troops in battles at Saingpha and Kanhmaw villages in Hpakant Township, Kachin State. On May 8, when military council forces entered Saingpha village, joint forces of the KIA and KPDF launched an attack, causing significant casualties and forcing the military troops to retreat to Kanhmaw village. The joint forces also attacked military council troops stationed at a monastery in Kanhmaw village, resulting in numerous casualties among military personnel.
Over the past three weeks, despite the military council’s offensive using tanks, drones, and aircraft for aerial attacks, they have been unable to reach Hpakant city due to blockades and counterattacks by joint KIA and KPDF forces, suffering heavy casualties in the process. The military council conducted three aerial bombing raids on Kanhmaw and Saingpha villages on May 8 – one in the evening and two more after 9 PM – while also deploying drones and heavy artillery in their attacks.
In an attempt to regain control of Hpakant city, the military council has deployed over 600 troops, including military forces, people’s militia, and police, supported by two tanks, drones, and heavy weapons. They are advancing along two routes: one through the Kamine-Nanyar-Hpakant road, and another with over 300 troops through the Hopin-Indawgyi-Wehka road. However, the KIA and KPDF joint forces maintain control of all three major access routes to Hpakant: the Tamakhan-Sasing-Hpakant road, the Hopin-Indawgyi-Wehka-Hpakant road, and the Kamine-Nanyar-Hpakant road.
In Hpakant city itself, military council troops are confined to their bases and unable to establish effective control over the city. Recently, the military council transported a new strategic commander to Kansee Strategic Hill in Hpakant Township via helicopter, attempting to strengthen their forces and establish territorial control. The military council continues daily aerial attacks as they advance from Lawa village to Karmain, from Kamine to the dam, and then through Nanyar village to reach Kanhmaw and Saingpha. Despite their extensive deployment of forces and aerial capabilities, they face strong resistance from the combined opposition forces who maintain strategic control of key access routes to the region.
