Fighting persists between Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) troops and State Administration Council (SAC) soldiers in Namkham.
The Ta’ang armed group has nearly overtaken the town in northern Shan State, which will mark the latest in a series of towns and junta bases that have fallen under the control of the Three Brotherhoods Alliance since the initiation of their 1027 Operation two weeks ago.
On Monday afternoon, an individual told SHAN that TNLA attacked SAC forces stationed at the Myo Lae pagoda. The source confirmed that the fighting was ongoing in the evening when he was interviewed.
According to TNLA, they have already seized a checkpoint outside the town, which is along the Shweli River and the main trade route between Burma and China. They also taken the Namkham Myoma police station, a SAC camp at the Shweli suspension bridge, and the Hel Yai camp in Namkham Township. The Ta’ang group hasn’t reported the casualties of either side.
Since the conflict began on November 3, over 2,500 of the town’s 100,000 residents have been displaced due to the fighting and SAC airstrikes. Many people sought refuge in Buddhist monasteries situated in Wan Nawng Kham, Kun Hai, and Wan Kun.
A male volunteer, aiding the displaced individuals, mentioned that over 1,000 new people recently fled from Nawng Kham, and they are providing assistance with food, medicine, and shelter. He also indicated that the Shan State Progress Party is offering support with rations.
“Some internally displaced persons brought food when they fled their homes, which may last for 2-3 days,” he stated. The volunteer is concerned about their ability to assist should the violence persist. He explained that many people are traumatized by the situation.
According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, approximately 40,000 people have been displaced due to recent clashes in northern Shan State.
Another source from Namkham reported that SAC soldiers have been looting the homes they occupied in the town.
