More than 10,000 civilians have fled their homes in northern Shan State’s Kyaukme Township as fighting between the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) and Myanmar’s military intensifies, according to residents and aid workers.

Ground battles between the TNLA and allied forces against junta troops began on August 19 and have continued for over two weeks, displacing people from more than 20 villages in Nawng Ping. Most have sought refuge in Pongwoe, Hai-kwi, and Namhankate village tracts.

Aid groups say the displaced urgently need food, medicine, tarpaulins, mats, water containers, as well as monthly supplies for women and children, and personal hygiene items.

“The main difficulties are food and medicine. Many families also need tarpaulins, blankets, and clothes because they fled suddenly without preparation. Roads are blocked, so prices for basic goods are soaring,” said a displaced woman. “The fighting has now moved closer to Sakhanthar and Kyaukme.”

Between August 19 and 29, the junta launched a 12-day offensive in the Gote Twin Road area and near the Gote Hteik bridge, reporting 47 clashes and claiming to have seized 23 weapons.

Junta forces are now constructing a Bailey bridge to replace the destroyed Gote Twin bridge in order to push their ground offensive toward Kyaukme. Locals said TNLA-allied forces are resisting at Pintein village near Nawng Ping junction.

The violence has triggered further displacement. Families from neighborhoods in Kyaukme and Hsipaw townships, as well as villages along the Union Highway, are moving to safer areas or fleeing toward Lashio.

“The fighting is now reported near Nawng Ping junction and Pintein. We can hear heavy weapons from Sankha. Many villagers have already fled, and more than a thousand people have moved toward Hsipaw and Lashio,” a local man assisting displaced families told SHAN.

The conflict has also brought deadly consequences for civilians. On August 29, indiscriminate artillery fire from junta troops based in Nawnghkio struck Hkaik Ton Huong village in Nar Aik Kant tract, killing U Soe Maung, 51.

That evening, junta aircraft carried out an airstrike on Pan Tapyay village near Monglon, dropping four 250-pound bombs. Two women, including a nun, were killed, six civilians were injured, and four houses, a school building, and a religious hall were destroyed.

On August 30, two more 250-pound bombs were dropped on Nar Hkaw village, damaging four houses.

Residents and aid workers warn that as the conflict spreads, displacement will rise further and essential supplies will become even harder to obtain.