Hostilities between ethnic armed organizations (EAOs) fighting over territory in Shan State have intensified in Kyaukme Township, with two civilians seriously injured by the conflict.

Maung Win, 40, was shot in the leg at his home as he prepared to flee the clashes. Ner Lane, 50, stepped on a hidden landmine near a Buddhist pagoda.

Restoration Council of Shan State (RCSS) fought the combined forces of the Shan State Progress Party (SSPP) and the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) near Lo Kong village.

A woman who was also displaced by the fighting told SHAN that both men could not walk and volunteers from an internally displaced persons (IDP) camp in Pan Salawt village had to pick them up from Lo Kong, about an hour away. ”It was already dark when they arrived at the IDP camp,” she said.

Maung Win was sent to Kyaukme town for medical treatment on August 27 and Ner Lane is being cared for at the camp.

”At least six shells landed in the village, including one that landed near the pagoda and damaged at least four houses,” said another source, during fighting that has been going on in the area since August 11.

According to volunteers, there are 390 people in the IDP camp; 4 are sick and there are 2 women who are pregnant.

”Some are crying because they could not take anything with them when they fled, not even extra clothes. These people need food,” explained a man from Pan Salawt, who is helping them.

Residents from the village of Pan Salawt reported hearing heavy weapons from EAOs.

A man from Hu Kwet told SHAN that two shells also landed in his village.

The fighting has displaced over 1,500 people in Hsipaw and Kyaukme townships in northern Shan State.