Fighting in Northern Shan State’s Nawngkio Township has increased, leading to an increase in civilian casualties. An artillery shell recently killed 10 civilians; half were women, and injured 15 people.

“The situation is getting worse and the people have to flee again,” a man who knew some of the victims in Par Hak told SHAN. Three women were instantly killed by a shell that struck a house, with one woman’s body ripped to pieces on the evening of May 16, he said. The attack wounded a child and four adults.

The next day, a regime artillery shell instantly killed Ma Htwe Yi (42), Ma Win Thanda (36), and Ma Mokham Oo (16) in another house in the village. Five people were hurt, including a baby who suffered head trauma. All of the victims were staying in the house after fleeing earlier violence. The homeowner was not there during the attack that destroyed a total of six homes.

Burma army soldiers staying in either Tawng Talon and Yay Tar Kon fired the shells at the village.

Medics from Mandalay People’s Defense Force (PDF), which is fighting the military regime in the area, provided treatment for the victims.

Over 400 people fled Par Hak where shelling is ongoing. They’re taking shelter in their sugar-cane and paddy fields between Thon Sel and Thabyay Toe.

A woman from Nawngkio Township said some were able to take one basket of rice with them, but they need more humanitarian aid. The villagers were working as daily labourers before the attacks started. Many women and children have diarrhoea and skin rashes but there’s no medical available for them.

Over 1,000 people who have been displaced in Nawngkio Township are staying in Buddhist monasteries in Inn-waing, Chay Myit Pin, Bang Bwe, Kon Gyi, Kon Tha, and Loi Tawng. Over 2,000 have fled to Pyin Oo Lwin in Mandalay Region.

Regime troops are shelling Thon Sel, Samma Sel, and Kyu Inn from Shwe Nyaung Pin and Bang Bwe. A woman and a man were killed by shelling in Thon Sel and four people were seriously wounded in the attack.

Since the Military Council lost its Thayet Kon camp to Mandalay PDF, it’s launched 43 airstrikes against the group, which claimed the regime used chemical weapons on it on May 8.