Clashes between the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) and the Burma Army near Namhsan town in northern Shan State have displaced more than 1,000 villagers in less than a week, and tension in the area remains high.
There have been multiple outbreaks of fighting there since September 13.
Thein Shwe, the chairperson of the Chan Myae Social Volunteer Team, told SHAN that more than 800 people have sought refuge in Zayanggyi monastery, some 200 people are staying in Kayahgyi monastery, and more than 100 are in Pang Sari village. Others are staying with relatives. There may be a total of 2,000 internally displaced people in the entire township.
“IDP in Kayahgyi and Pang Sari need food assistance. It’s still difficult to go there. The road is still blocked,” he said.
Sixty-year-old Aik Tun was killed by shrapnel after shells landed in his village on September 14 during the clashes. According to an ethnic Ta’ang civil society organization, another man and woman were injured and have been receiving treatment at the Namhsan public hospital.
“The man got injuries to his thigh and the women got injuries to her head and hands,” Mai Myo Aung, who is in charge of Ta’ang Legal Aid, told SHAN.
He added that locals are “living in fear” as reinforcement troops have been sent to the area, and fighting may grow worse.
Clashes intensified between the Burma Army and the TNLA over the weekend, with four combat helicopters attacking TNLA posts, local sources said.
Representatives of the Burma Army met members of the Northern Alliance of ethnic armed groups—the TNLA, and the Arakan Army, Kachin Independence Army, Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army—in eastern Shan State’s Kengtung city on Tuesday.
Social volunteer team chair Thein Shwe said in advance that he had low expectations for the meeting.
“I am worried about how the people are suffering. It would be better if both sides could compromise in the meeting. They should consider the safety of people,” Thein Shwe told SHAN.
Despite ongoing fighting, the Burma Army has extended its unilateral ceasefire until September 21 and three members of the Northern Alliance declared their own ceasefire until October 8.
The Burma Army and the Northern Alliance forces have clashed repeatedly in northern Shan State since August 15. At least 15 civilians have been killed and around 30 have been injured.
