Jade mining town attacked by Myanmar's ethnic Army

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NAYPYITAW, 22 May, 2021, (TON): Military positions were attacked on Saturday at the northwestern jade mining town of Hkamti by forces of the Kachin Independence Army (KIA), one of the ethnic factions opposed to Myanmar’s coup, local media reported.   

KIA fighters attacked an army post at Hkamti township in the Sagaing region early on Saturday, the Irrawaddy and Mizzima online publications according to the media report.  

The KIA in Kachin state near the border to China has been in conflict with Myanmar's military rulers for decades, seeking an independent state, with the conflict largely unconnected to February's coup. 

The army has carried out numerous bombing attacks on KIA positions in recent weeks and has also clashed with ethnic armies in the east and west of Myanmar. 

The attack marks an advance into new territory by the KIA at a time Myanmar has been plunged into chaos since the army seized power on February 1, detained elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi and cut short a decade of democratic reforms. 

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