After a brief lull, fighting between the People’s Defense Force (PDF) groups and the Burma army has resumed in the turbulent area of Pekon Township in southern Shan State.

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The Burma army has attempted to bolster its soldiers by sending fresh troops to its camps in Hkawng Ei and Settaw, causing clashes on 18 July. A man, requesting anonymity, explained that “there was no fighting for 3-4 days, but now the clashes have started in the area again, where they have been firing both light and heavy weapons for the whole day.”

Several different PDFs groups are clashing with soldiers from the Light Infantry Battalion 336, 421, and MOC-7 columns. Due to poor communication, SHAN was unable to reach the spokesperson from the Pekon PDF for his comment.

A civilian who fled fighting in the jungle several months ago said he and other villagers are concerned about the effects of prolonged fighting on their properties and livelihoods.

“We are afraid our houses and other properties will be damaged yet again. If we cannot go to work on our farm this year, we will definitely endure more hardships next year.”

The Karenni Revolution Union reported that 19 enemy soldiers and a Pekon PDF soldier were killed, and 3 PDF soldiers wounded, from June until the second week of July. But SHAN could not independently confirm this information.