Pang War (Burmese: ပန်ဝါ, alternatively spelt Pangwa or Pang Wah) is a town in Chipwi Township, Myitkyina District, Kachin State, Northeastern Myanmar.[1] The town lies along the China–Myanmar border and serves as a border crossing between the two countries.[2]
Pang War
ပန်ဝါ Pangwa | |
|---|---|
Town | |
| Pang War | |
 Pang War in winter | |
  Pang War Location in Burma | |
| Coordinates: 25°35′39″N 98°22′44″E / 25.59417°N 98.37889°E | |
| Myanmar |  Myanmar |
| State |  Kachin State |
| District | Myitkyina District |
| Township | Chipwi Township |
| Area | |
• Total | 0.578 sq mi (1.50 km2) |
| Elevation | 7,605 ft (2,318 m) |
| Population (2019)[1] | 5,116 |
| • Ethnicities | |
| Time zone | UTC+6.30 (MMT) |
The town is part of Myanmar's Kachin Special Region 1.[3] The town is also known for its snowy landscape in the winter, with some locals nicknaming it the "ice city".[4]
History
editRare Earth Mining
editThe town serves as a hub for rare earth mining under the control of the New Democratic Army – Kachin (NDA-K) administered as Kachin Special Region 1.[5]
On 4 June 2024, a landslide occurred at a rare earth mine in Pang War, resulting in the deaths of at least 7 miners and the disappearance of at least 10 additional miners.[6] Then on 15 June, another landslide occurred at rare earth mine in Pang War resulting in 50 miners going missing. Little information was made available as search and rescue operations commenced.[7]
2024 Kachin offensive
editDuring the renewed Myanmar civil war, Pang War became the target of offensives by the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) against the NDA-K in October 2024. Fighting in the area began as early as mid-September as the resistance-alligned KIA and the junta-alligned NDA-K fought in Chipwi Township in the valley with NDA-K and the junta losing the strategic Lag Way camp nearby.[8] The junta continued their defence with airstrikes as their Pang War Border Guard Forces Battalion 1002 remained on the ground to defend.[9]
On 15 October, the 1002 battalion headquarters in Pang War was captured.[10] By 23 October 2024, the town had been completely taken with the KIA seizing the NDA-K leader's house.[11]
References
edit- ^ a b Myanmar Information Management Unit (2019). Chipwae Myone Daethasaingyarachatlatmya ချီဖွေမြို့နယ် ဒေသဆိုင်ရာအချက်လက်များ [Chipwi Township Regional Information] (PDF) (Report) (in Burmese).
- ^ RFA Burmese (2024-10-18). "China denies entry to Myanmar nationals trapped by battle". Radio Free Asia. Retrieved October 21, 2024.
- ^ Maung Shwe Wah; Min Maung, Maung Shwe (2024-10-01). "Kachin forces take town in 'special region' controlled by Myanmar junta ally". Myanmar Now. Retrieved 2024-10-20.
- ^ Thurein. "ပန်ဝါမြို့" [Pangwa Town] (in Burmese).
- ^ RFA Burmese (2023-08-08). "Illegal mining of rare earth metals surges in northern Myanmar". Radio Free Asia. Retrieved October 21, 2024.
- ^ Hein Htoo Zan (June 7, 2024). "At Least Seven Dead, 10 Missing as Landslide Hits Mine in Myanmar's Kachin". The Irrawaddy. Retrieved October 21, 2024.
- ^ "About 50 Miners Missing After Rare-Earth Mine Collapse in Pang War". Burma News International. Retrieved 2024-10-20.
- ^ MPM (2024-09-13). "Fighting intensifies between KIA and joint force of junta and militia in Pang War » Myanmar Peace Monitor". Myanmar Peace Monitor. Retrieved 2024-10-20.
- ^ MPM (2024-10-11). "Junta launches relentless airstrikes to prevent fall of Pang War Battalion 1002 to resistance forces » Myanmar Peace Monitor". Myanmar Peace Monitor. Retrieved 2024-10-20.
- ^ Hein Htoo Zan. "Myanmar Junta-Allied Border Battalion Falls in Kachin Rare Earth Hub". The Irrawaddy.
- ^ "KIA Seals Off House of Myanmar Junta-Allied Warlord After Seizing Pangwa". The Irrawaddy.
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