Junta airstrikes have led to a reduced flow of goods into the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) controlled town of Namkham, in northern Shan State, causing shortages and price rises.

The junta has been launching airstrikes on Namkham since the TNLA took over the town on 7 November 2023, with the most recent airstrike, on 9 September 2024, killing 10 civilians and destroying homes.

The threat of further airstrikes has caused most people to flee the town. It has also worried traders and wholesalers so much that many are no longer willing to enter Namkham Town.

This means that the residents left in the town are facing difficulties. One said: “Now we’re afraid of further airstrikes. With the decrease in the flow of goods, prices have risen significantly. Low-income individuals are finding it increasingly difficult to get food. Everything is becoming increasingly difficult.”

The combination of low incomes and rising food prices could lead to a long-term crisis.

To make matters worse, because Namkham Town is on the border with China its citizens used to be able to also rely on cross border trade to provide some of their food and essential supplies. But now, they can no longer get supplies from China because the Chinese authorities closed the Nawngtawng border gate in Namkham Township on 17 July 2024.

Fighting between the junta and resistance forces has also blocked trade routes from Mandalay and disrupted trade from there.

A trader from Namkham Town said: “Namkham is close to the Chinese border, but the border gate is closed. Furthermore, the reduced operating hours of the border gate in Muse town have made the situation worse and led to an increase in the price of goods.”

Currently the TNLA, a Three Brotherhood Alliance Member, completely controls Namkham and sends out a daily police patrol to maintain security.

On 2 August the junta labelled the Three Brotherhood Alliance a terrorist organisation and it has been launching frequent airstrikes against Three Brotherhood Alliance held towns.