Junta sends reinforcements as fighting with KIA continues in Hpakant

By Admin 21 Aug 2025

DMG Newsroom

21 August 2025, Hpakant, Kachin State

Fighting has been ongoing in the jade mining hub Hpakant Township, Kachin State, and the military regime is reportedly sending hundreds of additional troops.

A column of about 500 troops from the Shan Nationalities Army (SNA), including junta troops, is reportedly advancing toward Hpakant town on the Kamaing-Hpakant road.

"A 500-strong junta column marching along the Kamaing-Hkapant road is being intercepted by the KIA, but it is slowly advancing toward Hpakant," said a local man from Hpakant.

DMG continues to attempt to contact SNA officials regarding the issue of SNA troops reportedly collaborating with junta forces.

Locals say the SNA joined the military regime in 2021 and is fighting alongside junta troops in upper Sagaing Region, including the townships of Hpakant, Mohnyin, and Indawgyi in Kachin State.

Fighting has been ongoing between the Myanmar military and a coalition force led by the KIA since last May in the vicinity of Hpakant.

Locals believe that the military contingent advancing from the Kamaing route is intended to control Hpakant town and provide security for the elections.

"I think they are strengthening security to hold the election in Hpakant. Although the election will not be held in the outskirts of the city, I think the election will be held in Hpakant with full security," said another local man.

He said that departmental staff employees under the military regime in Hpakant are attending election training in Myitkyina to help organise the election.

A coalition force led by the KIA captured and controlled several military regime bases in Hpakant Township from early 2024 to February 2025.A military column of about 600 troops was sent from the Indawgyi-Hpakant road at the end of March to reinforce their remaining military bases in Hpakant Township.

This column arrived near Hpakant in late May and was able to join up with their remaining troops, with now another column of about 500 troops being sent.