NAYPYITAW, 28 September 2021, (TON): The junta cut off access to phone and internet connections on Sunday in three townships in conflict-hit Sagaing Region after it suffered heavy losses in fighting against the People’s Defence Force (PDF) and the Kachin Independence Army (KIA).

Services for all four of Myanmar’s telecoms providers went down early morning in Pinlebu, Wuntho and Kawlin, which are all part of Kawlin district.

A Kawlin local who is now in Yangon Region, said “I had contact with a friend until 6am this morning but I can’t reach him anymore.”

A local of Pinlebu said “I still had contact with everyone last night but couldn’t call them anymore this morning. I still have the internet because I moved to another region. Wifi is also unavailable in the townships.”

Twenty-two other townships across Sagaing and neighbouring Chin and Kachin states have been hit with internet blackouts since August.

Kawlin, Wuntho and Pinlebu sit next to Katha, which borders Kachin. Local chapters of the People’s Defence Force (PDF) working with the KIA killed 40 junta soldiers in the Katha town of Moedar on September 20.