Some 300 people have fled their homes in recent days following clashes between the Burma Army and the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) in northern Shan State’s Kyaukme Township. 

The internally displaced people (IDPs) left the villages of Kun Kaw, Taw Hpe and Ohn Oui on November 15. They initially sought refuge in a monastery in Hkon Nguen village, but according to a member of the Ta’ang National Party, they relocated to another community six miles away two days later.

“Over 280 IDPs sought refuge in a monastery in Hkon Nguen village. They didn’t have enough shelter and drinking water there, so they have relocated to Pang Ning village in Namhsan Township yesterday,” Mai Yan Naing, who works with the Ta’ang National Party, told SHAN on Monday. 

Most of the IDPs are women and children. A volunteer working with the community said that they are in need of food and warm clothes as the cold season sets in. 

“They could not bring anything with them when they fled,” the volunteer told SHAN. “It is difficult for them to return home because military tension is ongoing. I don’t know when these clashes will end.” 

Than Aung, who lives in Mang Khok village in Kyaukme Township, told SHAN that local homes, a pagoda and a monastery have suffered damage in the fighting between the Burma Army and the TNLA.

“I’ve heard that the Burma Army’s reinforcement troops are coming again. I heard the sound of heavy weapons being repeatedly fired yesterday. Our Mang Khok pagoda was hit by shells. Houses have been damaged,” he said on Monday. 

Locals in Namhsan and Kyaukme remain on high alert, fearing clashes can reignite at any time.