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Myanmar gov't forces recapture some more strategic hills in Kokang

Xinhua, March 9, 2015 Adjust font size:

Myanmar government forces has recaptured some more strategic hills from the Kokang ethnic army following seven air and artillery strikes in the weekend, the military's media Myawaddy reported Monday.

The strategic hills reoccupied include point 0753 Hill and some nearby hilltops which are foothold of the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA).

The government troops claimed one body of the MNDAA, seizing some small weapons and over 500 rounds of ammunition, while one from the government side was wounded.

The recapture of these hilltops has ensured safe transportation between Laukkai and Chinshwehaw, the government claimed.

Fighting in the Kokang region has intensified as the gov't forces launched a number of air strikes against the Kokang ethnic army since last Saturday afternoon in a bid to retake the posts of the MNDAA, which is termed by the government as Kokang renegade group.

During last Saturday's air attacks, the government side had lost four with 11 others being wounded, according to earlier military report.

Fightings were also engaged between the government forces and a combined armed groups of Kokang, Palaung and Rakhine near Laukkai, the capital of Kokang region, a day earlier with the military retrieving Point 2014 Hill, a strategic post of MNDAA.

Due to attacks by the government troops, forces of the MNDAA were reportedly retreating.

The government forces claimed earlier that they could occupy a number of strategic hills in Kokang region in their offensive over the previous week against the MNDAA with heavy weapons, forcing the MNDAA to retreat from Point-1789 Hill where they based.

Due to the occupation of these hills, the government could reopen the Laukkai-Kongyan communication route for secure transport.

An unconfirmed compiled statistics also revealed that as of now, the government side suffered 66 deaths with 138 wounded, while 86 bodies were seized from the MNDAA with 30 being arrested.

As Laukkai's situation improves, a total of 2,746 internally displaced people have so far returned home through border post No. 125 and Yanlonkyaing border checkpoint, the government claimed. Endi