An interview with a resident of Hsipaw about the ongoing fighting, civilian casualties and the difficulties faced by IDPs and those who remain in Hsipaw which is under control of the TNLA
Since 10 August, the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) has launched an offensive attack on Infantry Battalion-23, Light Infantry Battalions-503 and 504 based in Hsipaw in Shan State. Then, the TNLA seized control of Hsipaw, residents said.
During the first phase of Operation 1027, key bridges around Hsipaw were destroyed with mines. During the second phase, after capturing Nawnghkio, Kyaukme, and Lashio, only Hsipaw town remained. The TNLA and its allied forces are now continuing their offensive to take full control of Hsipaw.
Similarly, the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA)-Kokang has captured LIB-147, which was stationed in Nawng Kaw Gyi in Hsipaw Township, and is now deploying troops near Namlan.
Since 10 August, fighting between the military council and the TNLA and joint forces has been intensifying. In one week, the junta’s shelling and airstrikes killed more than 20 civilians, displacing over half of the town’s population, according to local residents.
Shan News interviewed a Hsipaw resident about the current fighting, civilian casualties and the difficulties faced by IDPs and those who remain in town.
Q: What is the current situation in Hsipaw? Where have local residents sought refuge?
A: The military council army is positioned some distance from the town. There is an exchange of fighting with the TNLA there. The junta fires heavy shells at the town. Bamar soldiers have arrived at 504 battalion, which is en route to Moe Tay. Recently, the junta’s planes fly overhead. Heavy shells landed in Myo Lae, Nar Yi Sin and Zat Su wards. The junta bombed Ton Sint. The people from Hsipaw have fled to Naung Pain. Four civilians were killed due to the junta’s bombing in Myo Haung. The junta also bombed Tain Taung. In recent days, the junta dropped bombs with planes.
The military council is still carrying out reinforcements. The junta’s helicopters are still dropping arms and rations by parachute. Currently, the TNLA controls the town but has yet to capture LIB-503/504 and IB-23 outside the town. The junta’s shelling and airstrikes have killed over 20 people so far. Intense fighting is occurring near the police station, prison, and in Tone Sint, on the route to Moe Tay. The fighting first erupted near Hsipaw bridge before the TNLA captured the town. It has intensified since August 11 and 12.
Q: How many people remain in Hsipaw and what difficulties are they facing?
A: Most of those remaining in the town are stay-behind residents and the elderly. Some people don’t dare to go out after hearing the news that the roads are closed here and there. Residents from Hsipaw had already fled as fighting escalated in Kyaukme and Lashio. Those near Hsipaw bridge are spending nights at Boedaw Monastery. There have been reports of break-ins at night, and most residents have already evacuated.
The people remain in the wards as there is no fighting in Pantaintaung, Shwekyaung and Taungmyo. Most residents of Tone Sint have fled due to heavy shelling in the ward. Amidst the fighting, pregnant mothers are enduring significant hardship. Previously, women would travel by boat from Kyaukme to Hsipaw and Namlan to give birth. However, as the situation is deteriorating in Namlan, the hospital has closed. There are no doctors.
In Hsipaw, there is currently only a maternity center established by Charity Without Borders where women can give birth. While this facility provides some relief, there are still challenges. It is uncertain whether women who give birth there will need to flee again or if pregnant women will be able to deliver their babies safely amidst the ongoing conflict. The pregnant mothers are frightened by the explosions in the town and began experiencing abdominal pain prematurely. Before fleeing the war, doctors said that early abdominal pain could signal an early birth and advised pregnant mothers to seek safer places.
Q: The Hsipaw prison broke during the battle. What is the situation of the prison?
A: The prison broke on 10 August. The military council did not open the prison. The TNLA and PDF opened the prison gate. They released prisoners, inmates and political prisoners after providing each with a bag of rice. Only a few were greeted by relatives who received prior information. Those imprisoned on various charges were also freed and had to make their own way home due to the lack of transportation. Since then, shops and houses have been closed.
Now, all mobile phone lines have been cut off. Some of those released from prison have no place to go. Because there is no phone line. There is no bus. They cannot contact their families due to the lack of mobile phone access. And there is no passenger bus lines. They are stranded around Hsipaw. Among the IDPs who fled to Namlan from Lashio are involved in the theft. Locals arrested more than 30 thieves in one day. Two thieves were first arrested. Further interrogation led to the arrest of more than additional 30 thieves. Stay-behind residents can do nothing as the thieves are committing thefts in group. So, the elderly people don’t want to flee to anywhere.
Q: Where is the fierce fighting taking place, and what is the number of casualties resulting from it?
A: There is fierce fighting in Myo Lae, Zat Su and Tone Sint. Tar Poke and Zat Su are very close to the prison, police station and immigration office. The TNLA seized control of the prison and the police station on 10 August. Then, around 200 TNLA soldiers advanced toward the town near the football ground. Shortly after the prison was opened, the junta dropped bombs near the clock tower and Myanmar Apex Bank. Then, most of the people fled once again out of fear.
The junta bombed Hsipaw. We hear the sounds of heavy shells and gunfire. There are civilian deaths every day. There are many civilian casualties in Myo Haung. Some people are unable to flee till now. There is intense fighting in Man Mai, Kyaungsu, Tone Sint and near LB-23. For about four to five days starting from 10 August, the junta bombed the town round the clock. The people from Tone Sint fled to Nar Hke.
Some people have fled to Baw Kyo monastery. Almost the entire town have fled the war. The people who are unable to flee in Myo Haung were killed or injured by heavy shell. Families with the people living with disability planned to carry their belongings first and then evacuate the persons. They cannot reenter the town when they return home. They don’t know whether the disabled parents left behind are alive or dead.
There were around 20 civilian deaths. The people cannot move freely in the town. Those who died in the houses have decomposed. More than 50 people were injured, and the bodies of the deceased remain uncollected, left to decompose in their homes. Some witnesses reported seeing soldiers’ bodies being thrown into the river near houses close to the Namtu River.
Q: During the first phase of the operation, almost all the bridges around Hsipaw were destroyed, and how are they managing to avoid the conflict this time?
A: The difficulty is that in the days before the war, they came to Tar Lone by boat from Baw Kyo. Those with cars fled to Namlan by the vessel. The IDPs did not dare to flee to Kyaukme due to intense fighting at the time. From there, they moved on to other towns and villages. Those from Myo Haung fled to Kone Thar. Some fled to Namhu and Narlay via Baw Kyo by boat and then to Namlan. The TNLA has prohibited cars from entering the town to pick up people. Instead, residents must hire motorbikes from Baw Kyo, as the TNLA permits motorbikes to enter the town.
There is a checkpoint in Baw Kyo. There is a checkpoint near the Gypsum mining site in Nan Hu Nwe. Later, there is no junta troops on Hsipaw Bridge. Some people go to Nam Lan via the bridge. There are cases where girls are sexually assaulted when crossing the MNDAA gate in Hsutlan. We would like to urge the displaced people to bring a spouse or companion if they wish to flee the war. The IDPs first have to leave for Naung Kat via Myo Lae and Zat Su wards where the situation is worse.
Most of the IDPs have taken refuge in Shwe Kyaung. The people have to spend the night at the monasteries there and then left for Naungpain. The junta fired heavy shells via Nam Lan every day. The move aims to provide military support for LIB-147 in Naungkawgyi. The Shan State Progressive Party (SSPP) troops have been stationed around Nam Lan. Due to reports that Kokang force might enter Nam Lan if the SSPP doesn’t, local residents again have fled out of fear. Later, the military council sent reinforcements from Kho Lam to Nam Lan with 11 military vehicles.
Q: What concerns do you have about the area being quiet again after such intense fighting? How extensive is the damage?
A: The concern is that the area might be bombed again. We don’t dare go home. Civilians are losing their lives and property due to the junta’s bombings targeting the town because the presence of TNLA troops in the town. We have to live on a shoestring as we can do nothing for living. Some people cannot flee the town. We face various difficulties. About a quarter of those who stayed behind are struggling with limited access to healthcare and food.
Q: Thank you for taking the time to answer.
Sent by Shan News
