“I first heard the loud buzzing of a drone, and shortly after, a huge explosion. Smoke rose from the market area where a bomb had been dropped; five or six drones were coming in a swarm,” said Sai Leng, a resident of Nawng Ping, recalling the first moments of the assault.

After the military junta—so-called State Security and Peace Commission troops—retook Nawnghkio town, often described as the gateway to Northern Shan State, from the Ta’ang (Palaung) National Liberation Army (TNLA), they began attempting to seize Kyaukme town further along the Mandalay-Lashio Union Highway.

Nawng Ping village, perched across the gorge from Gokteik and about 15 miles from TNLA-controlled Kyaukme, is a key connector between the Southern and Northern Shan State. Under the control of the Shan State Progress Party/Shan State Army (SSPP/SSA), the village had largely been spared in previous phases of conflict.

During the first and second phases of Operation 1027, launched by the Brotherhood Alliance two years ago, Nawng Ping suffered only peripheral damage and became a resting place for displaced people from surrounding areas. However, after the military council retook Nawnghkio in the second week of July, the village faced continuous drone and artillery attacks, putting IDPs at risk.

“Everyone knew that after taking Nawnghkio, the military would continue to Kyaukme or Mongkut (Mogok). But to reach Kyaukme, they had to go through SSPP-controlled Nawng Ping. When the first shells landed in the village, people fled, but the elders convinced everyone to return, saying they could negotiate,” said Sai Leng.

The confusing border dynamics between the TNLA and SSPP/SSA, separated only by the Union Highway between Kyaukme and Nawng Ping, created hesitation among residents about fleeing amidst the sound of drones and artillery.

Eventually, Division 11 of the military council, stationed in Nawnghkio, bypassed TNLA defenses at the Gote Twin Road section. On August 18, they launched a ground offensive from an unexpected highland route, crossing the Gote Twin stream and entering Htan Ta Pin village in Nawng Ping tract.

“They dropped bombs from planes, and we couldn’t stay in the village anymore. Even when hiding under the bed, it sounded like they were circling right over us. Everyone fled the village only after bombs were dropped on the Ah Lel Kyaung monastery, killing displaced people,” Sai Leng recalled. “They also fired rockets from Nawnghkio towards Nawng Ping.”

According to SSPP Info reported on August 20, a military council airstrike on the Mizzima Rama Ah Lel Kyaung monastery in Pin Tee village killed over 10 displaced people who had fled from Nawnghkio and severely wounded 12 others. Aid groups recovered 17 bodies, including children and women, while over 40 wounded were sent to Lashio General Hospital for treatment.

Sources said the military council also dropped a 500-pound bomb near the Nawng Ping Police Station, killing one SSPP soldier and one detainee.

“When the plane dropped the bomb and so many people died, the entire village was terrified and fled. Some had to leave suddenly without clothes, blankets, or belongings. The difficulties are food and medicine, and also needing things like tarps, mats, and water buckets. Every village is filled with displaced people,” said Nang Hseng, who fled with her family.

More than 10,000 people have been displaced along the Union Highway between Nawng Ping and Kyaukme, with over 2,000 reaching Pong Woe village tract in Kyaukme, Hsipaw, and Lashio townships. Monks leading aid efforts reported that these IDPs include more than 700 children under 10.

“It has been over a month since we were displaced, so the food is almost running out. With the roads blocked, it is difficult to buy rice. With the number of displaced people approaching 10,000, we urgently need food aid. The main difficulty is food,” a monk from Pong Woe village said. “We are still looking for donations.”

Some displaced from Nawnghkio, now sheltering in Nawng Ping, are displaced for a second time, taking refuge in monasteries, schools, relatives’ homes, and hospitals. Limited space has forced some to live atop vehicles.

“Some people park their cars in the monastery compound and live on top of them because there is not enough space. The displaced people are mainly affected psychologically. Having to flee for almost two months, coupled with unemployment and worrying about food, brings many problems,” explained a monk from Pong Woe.

Danger of Landmines and Looted Homes

After more than 47 ground battles over 10 days, the military council announced on August 29 that it had retaken Nawng Ping village and the Gote Twin Road section. They claimed to have bypassed TNLA and PDF defenses and crossed the Gote Twin stream 8 kilometers south of the Gok Hteik Bridge.

Before that statement, photos of the Gok Hteik Bridge being destroyed circulated on military-affiliated channels, prompting mutual accusations with the TNLA. Locals believe the bridge’s destruction was a diversion to mask the airstrike on the monastery.

“Many homes were hit. They said over 10 homes were burned to ashes. The military dropped bombs from a drone on the shops and hardware store near the market, which burned down. We still can’t go back into Nawng Ping village. I think it will take a while until we reach Kyaukme. Almost all the homes we checked in the village had been broken into and looted,” Nang Hseng shared.

Sai Muang, Editor-in-Chief of SHAN, analyzed that the suffering of Nawng Ping locals is partly due to weak political and military decisions of armed organizations caught between the military council and TNLA fighting.

“The political stance was weak, creating a military vulnerability. So, they are being suppressed by both the TNLA and the junta. That’s why the locals of Nawng Ping village in Kyaukme Township are caught in the middle. If the SSPP were politically and militarily decisive, there would be no reason for them to bomb the area they control,” Sai Muang said.

He added, “They went to Naypyidaw and attended the military junta’s peace forum. If they were truly decisive, they could have made a firm decision and said, ‘Don’t bomb this SSPP-controlled area, and if you do, we will take action.’ I believe they could have protected the area. If they continue like this, the Shan people will likely continue to suffer.”

Currently, military council troops have advanced near Kyaukme town. While the fighting in Nawng Ping has subsided, IDPs are still forbidden from returning home, facing critical hardships including food shortages.

“Since people are stepping on landmines while going back home for supplies, it’s better not to go back. Some are still living in huts in the forest and in the fields. More than 10 people are gathered in one hut. They borrow food from those who have it and help each other. Aid organizations can’t reach them,” said Sai Naw, an aid worker.

Aid workers also warn of psychological trauma among displaced people, compounded by looted homes and limited resources.

“It is very difficult because there are few donors to provide support. It’s not easy for them to live in their homes again either. We are worried about their health if this continues long-term. It’s difficult just to get through each day; it’s hard to escape. Please help as much as you can to alleviate the suffering and hunger of the displaced people,” Sai Naw said.