The Singin Bridge on the Mandalay-Lashio Union Highway in Thibaw Township, Shan State, has been destroyed again amid armed clashes, leaving residents fearful of being trapped in the fighting.
The Singin Bridge between Thibaw and Lashio was completely destroyed in the clashes between the Brotherhood Alliance and the Myanmar Army that began on ၁ December.
As a result, Thibaw residents can no longer travel and fear being trapped in the midst of the fighting.
A resident of Thibaw said, “The bridge collapsed around 3pm yesterday, so it is now completely impassable. Now both sides seem to be increasing their troop strength, so we fear that there might be fighting in downtown Thibaw and we would be trapped. The military council might attack with heavy weapons and bombard with planes. So we are very worried. Now, only the bridge at the 9-Mile intersection from Thibaw to Namlan is passable. If it gets destroyed, there will be no escape.”
Singin Bridge, which was destroyed in the clashes in Thibaw Township on 1 December, is about 20 miles from Thibaw, and passenger buses travelling between Thibaw and Lashio had to take detours via the Thibaw-Namlan road section and Mansan intersection to reach Lashio, Thibaw residents said.
The Kyinthi Bridge between Kyaukme and Thibaw was also destroyed by TNLA troops on 12 November to cut off the military’s supply route, making it impassable as well.
“Since the Singin Bridge between Thibaw and Lashio was damaged again, prices in Thibaw have gone up. Transportation prices for those who want to go to Lashio have also gone up. Now the journey from Thibaw to Lashio costs around 20,000 to 30,000 kyats.
Since the trucks have to take a detour via the Mansan and Mongyai routes, the prices have really shot up,” said a driver travelling between Thibaw and Lashio.
According to the TNLA Information and Public Relations Department, TNLA troops attacked and captured a Myanmar Army police station near Singin Bridge in Thibaw Township on 1 December, after which the military carried out air strikes using fighter jets.
Clashes between the Brotherhood Alliance and the military since November 22 in Thibaw Township have displaced about 4,000 people who have taken refuge in nearby villages and monasteries and are in need of food aid, according to Thibaw residents.
Sent by Shan Herald.