Lu Htet Naing, Narinjara News, 27 January 2025 

On January 27, Colonel Naw Bu, the representative for the Kachin Independence Army (KIA), announced that the KIA has taken over Bhamo Airport in Kachin State. 

"Our joint  forces have gained control of Bhamo Airport.  Aircraft can no longer touch down. Today, we also took control of the signal corps camp,” Colonel Naw Bu remarked. 

A video that appeared on January 26 displays KIA and allied troops traversing the runway at Bhamo Airport. 

Colonel Naw Bu also disclosed that the KIA and its allies are monitoring multiple other battalions, including the 366th Artillery Battalion located in Bhamo. 

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"We are thoroughly observing the remaining artillery battalions as well as those under Military Operations Command 21. It's premature to claim that we have completely taken control of Bhamo town. We need to wait and see. To date, we have captured almost 400 camps in Kachin State, encompassing over a dozen towns," he stated. 

Local reports indicate that fighting continues in Bhamo as the KIA strives to seize the second capital of Kachin State. At present, the KIA controls Bhamo Airport and an artillery unit. 

The fight for Bhamo city started on December 4, 2024. As the conflict escalated, junta troops and their relatives retreated from various military installations in the city, joining forces with MOC-21 and the 47th Infantry Battalion. 

Bhamo is situated slightly more than 100 miles from Myitkyina. 

Currently, multiple battalions are stationed in Bhamo, comprising the 236th Infantry Battalion, 237th Infantry Battalion, 47th Infantry Battalion, MOC-21, along with additional units.