Ma Hlaing Hlaing Myo was a heavily pregnant woman during the war in northern Shan State. To be specific, in July, the fighting was escalating in Lashio. The situation was so intense and fearful. However, she did not care about the fighting and her own life but she focused on her pregnancy. Although the situation didn’t favor her, but finally she gave birth to a baby or her third child.
Ma Hlaing Hlaing Myo was 35 years old. She gave birth to her third child on July 15 at 9:30 p.m. in Lashio town, situated in northern Shan State. She gave birth during the fighting between the junta and the Kokang armed group, known as Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA).
“When I was at the hospital, I could hear the sounds of gunfire and heavy weapons. It was very loud. I realized that the fighting was getting closer to the hospital. At the time, I was not worried or scared of anything. I was only concerned about giving birth to my baby,” she said.
Two days later after giving birth, the fighting in town was more intense. The junta conducted airstrikes and dropped countless bombs, leading to the destruction of buildings, homes, and shops. It was no longer safe for her and her children to continue to live in Lashio. Then, she decided to leave the town.
Ma Hlaing Hlaing Myo, her husband and children originally were from Mandalay. After the military coup in 2021, they fled to Lashio to find work and struggle to survive. Recently, due to the fighting they had to flee and return home in the difficult time.
They fled from the combat zone by using a motorcycle. Ma Hlaing Hlaing Myo held her daughter in her arms while her husband drove the motorcycle and headed to Mandalay.
While on the way, they faced many difficulties. She said, “I gave birth naturally. I rested for two days and then decided to flee. This journey was very difficult. We had to avoid forest paths and muddy areas. I risked my life between the combat zone to flee and save my children.”
However, when they fled from the combat zone, she was anxious about her infant’s health. Along the way, it was raining and it was stopped, and the sun came out badly.
After postpartum, the mother and child needed adequate rest for at least two or three weeks, according to the obstetrician’s suggestion.
“After a mother gives birth, the body is changing, both mental and physical health. Because they lose a lot of energy during pregnancy and after giving birth. So postpartum was needed to get adequate rest. At least two or three weeks,” a doctor said.
Normally, the trip from Lashio to Mandalay takes almost 5 hours. However, during the 1027 operation, Union Road was impassable, so it took more than 10 days to travel from Lashio to Mandalay by motorcycle, according to Ma Hlaing Hlaing Myo’s experience.
She said, “It took about 10 days to arrive in Mandalay. I couldn’t move my hands. It was numb. My body ached, and I was dizzy too. Along the way, my health was so terrible. I could not continue the journey. So, I stayed in Kyethi township for 2 nights to rest. My infant was also in trouble.”
By using a motorcycle to flee the war, the baby was also in trouble and cried all along the way. The sounds of baby crying gave her the strength to continue the journey. As a mother, she was also worried and anxious about her infant.
The COVID was bad and the coup was worse for the income and employment. Although, they worked but couldn’t save money as much as they wanted. They had to work and live from hand to mouth. Ma Hlaing Hlaing Myo sought better opportunities and income. They came to Lashio and worked as construction workers.
Unfortunately, it was fighting and she had to flee again. At the time, she wanted to go back to her home in Mandalay by car. The car fees from Lashio to Taunggyi is over 1,000,000 Kyats (USD 200) per person. The family couldn’t afford car fees, so they used a motorcycle and brought their children to flee combat zone with some money they had saved.
“We only used a motorcycle to flee. The car fee was very expensive. We didn’t have enough money. Using a motorcycle did not cost much money. It was about 300,000 or 400,000 kyats (USD 80-100) is enough for the journey. I feel so sorry for my infant and worry about her very much,” she said in a quavering voice.
Due to the intense and fierce fighting in Lashio, the junta indiscriminately dropped countless bombs everywhere in the town. SHAN has collected the number of casualties, at least 30 people were killed, especially women and children.
Another war victim, Nang Aye Kham who fled from Lashio to Taunggyi, the Shan State capital said “When we fled, we fled from fighting and bombs. The fighting was so close. We heard the sound of gunfire and heavy weapons. We had to run for our lives. We ran through the jungle with outflux of people, especially children and women.”
Nang Aye Kham fled from the fighting with her 7-year-old son and 4-year-old daughter by car. Along the way, she was concerned about her children’s safety. She worried that her family members could get hit by a bullet.
“At first, I didn’t flee. Later, I saw people die in front of me. The Junta conducted airstrikes. I realized that if I continued to live in Lashio, I would be one of those casualties. Therefore, I fled from the war with my family,” she said in her low voice.
The second phase of the 1027 operation, the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA), the People’s Defense Forces, and the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) claim full control over Naung Khio, Kyaukme, Mong Mit, Mongkut (Mokok), and Lashio.
Although the Three Brother Alliance seized these cities, the junta continued airstrikes. People and civilians bear the brunt of ongoing fighting. The people’s belongings and properties were destroyed and damaged. Moreover, those who have no choice and can’t afford to flee, they are trapped in the middle of war.
Ma Hlaing Hlaing Myo is a strong mother and fortunate enough to flee from war. Although she had little money, she struggled to relocate to a safe place. But nothing is certain when she has to run and flee again.
Finally, she prayed and said, “Even though I got injured, I can’t feel pain. I just focus on my infant’s health and her survival. May I pray for the people trapped in war be able to flee and be free from harm.”
