Fierce close proximity combat between government soldiers and the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) continued over the weekend, despite the Burmese government’s announcement that it would implement a unilateral ceasefire on Saturday morning,

The fighting centered on the strategically important hilltop outpost Hkaya Bum, where the Kachin rebels fought off attacks by the Burmese army on Saturday and Sunday. The Irrawaddy’s photographer Steve Tickner was at Hkaya Bum this weekend to cover the battles from the KIA positions.

In the past week, the government has been trying to capture the rebel-held hilltop, at times using heavy artillery and airstrikes.