Civilians caught in between fighting in northern Shan State feared for their lives after a shell struck a home in Mangsan village.

The bomb damaged the house in Namtu Township on Wednesday, February 24, during hostilities between Restoration Council of Shan State (RCSS) and State Progress Party (SSPP) and Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA), the latter two from the Northern Alliance. 

Fighting in the area intensified the following day, according to a man from Mangsan who didn’t want his name published.

About 400 villagers, mostly woman and children, sought safety at a nearby Buddhist monastery.

Because there isn’t cover in the village residents aren’t safe if another shell strikes Mangsan, the man said. But the brick monastery will provide them with some protection from a bomb attack.

Fortunately no one was hurt when the shell hit the home on Wednesday.

Ten days ago, a pregnant woman and a man were killed after a shell landed in their home in Kyaukme Township. The woman was her eighth month of pregnancy. Six others were wounded during the shell attack.

On February 14, a 33-year-old man was shot in his behind during clashes between RCSS and TNLA in Namtu Township.

Violence between the ethnic armed organizations (EAOs) resumed on February 13, despite RCSS and TNLA declaring unilateral ceasefires earlier in the month.

Villagers want EAOs to negotiate an end to the violence affecting northern Shan State.