Fierce fighting between the Myanmar army and combined forces of the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) and the People’s Defence Force-Mandalay in Naungcho Township in Shan State has reportedly forced more than 1,000 locals to flee to safety.
The military resorted to air strikes after the joint resistance forces intercepted the Myanmar army’s reinforcement convoy, which had been travelling from Pyi Oo Lwin to Naungcho since 1 November, at Ongmahkar and Shwenyaung villages in Nyaungcho Township.
The clashes forced more than 1,000 locals to flee to nearby villages or seek refuge in monasteries, locals report.
“There was an exchange of fire yesterday. They also fired from airplanes. Bombs also hit the houses in the villages. Some houses have lost their roofs. The fighting first broke out the day before in Ongmahkar and Shwenyaung. Then it spread to the villages of Yaemawngtan and Hsammahse, and then to almost all the other villages. All the villages have abandoned their houses,” said a resident of Ongmahkar village in Naungcho Township.
Due to the ongoing fighting in the township, residents of Ohnmathee, Ongmahkar, Shwenyaungbin, Hsammahse, Yaewin and Hokho villages have fled to seek refuge in Thonese village, monasteries and relatives in Pyin Oo Lwin, Naungcho residents said.
“In Ohnmathee, Yaewin, Hsammahse, Shwenyaung and Yaemawngtan villages, only a few residents are left to take care of their homes. Those who couldn’t reach Pyin Oo Lwin have gone to Thonese. Some have also gone to Konethar and Kyuinn. They can no longer go to Naungcho. I heard that they have also destroyed the Yaewin bridge between Ohnmathee and Bant Bwe,” said a displaced person who has taken refuge at Aung Chan Thar Monastery in Pyin Oo Lwin.
Among the displaced people who have found refuge at Aung Chan Thar Monastery are two mothers who have recently given birth. They are receiving medical care there, said a local man who is helping the displaced people.
“If they stay displaced for long, food will become scarce. At the moment they are cooking and eating the rice they brought with them. I have heard that more displaced people will arrive today. We have two mothers here who have recently given birth. One of them gave birth only 14 days ago. So we are worried about her health,” the man explained.
On 29 October, the Myanmar army was attacked by joint forces of the TNLA and the Mandalay PDF, causing heavy casualties. In retaliation, the junta bombed the villages with air strikes, forcing more than 400 people to seek refuge in the monasteries of Thabyaytoe, Myayzarkone and Thahpankaing, according to residents of Naungcho.
Although there was no fighting in the area, the military dropped a 500-pound bomb on Hokho village in Naungcho Township, destroying three houses, the TNLA information department said in its 3 Nov. statement.
Sent by Shan Herald.