The junta has been launching airstrikes on Kyaukme Town in northern Shan State, in an attempt to prevent it losing the last remaining military bases it holds in the town.

Currently the junta still holds the No. 1 Tactical Operations Headquarters, and the Infantry Battalion (IB) 501 and 502 bases in Kyakme Town, but they have been under attack from the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) and allied revolutionary forces since 3 August 2024.

During the fighting over the bases the junta launched 16 airstrikes on targets in the town on 3 and 4 August. The airstrikes targeted the area around the IB 501 base, Padamyar Pagoda and the golf course in Kyaukme Town, which is about one kilometre away from the IB 501 and 502 bases.

Y-12 transport aircraft also resupplied the three junta military bases with 22 drops of ammunition, on 4 August, according to the TNLA.

The airstrikes have caused casualties amongst the residents of Kyaukme Town and destroyed houses, according to reports.

The fighting has also caused civilian casualties and there are still many unretrieved corpses remaining in the town, according to a local man.

He said: “Currently, there are unretrieved corpses in the streets and alleyways of Kyaukme Town. Humanitarian groups have not yet been able to retrieve them. The bodies are already decomposing, and there is a foul smell.

Another resident of Kyaukme Town said to SHAN: “It has become impossible to stay in Kyaukme Town now. The fighting is quite intense. They are shooting with heavy weapons and aircraft. It is not possible to enter the town or move around. If you want to leave, you can only go with a humanitarian vehicle between 6:00 and 9:00 am Currently, it is completely impossible to travel.”

During the second phase of Operation 1027 in northern Shan State, which started on 25 June 2024, the junta has lost several military bases including the Northeastern Military Command. This has reduced the junta’s capacity to fight ground battles and led to them relying much more on airstrikes.

Since the start of the second phase of Operation 1027 until 31 July, more than 130 civilians have been killed and a further 170 have been injured, according to reports.