The military council is carrying out aerial bombardments while fighting continues between the military council and the Three Brotherhood Alliance in Theinni Township of northern Shan State.
Till the evening of 2 January, fighting continued between the military council and the Three Brotherhood Alliance in Wainnan ward, Panlaw village and Wainhlaing village in Thenni Township, according to a displaced local.
“The situation is bad. It becomes worse. There was fierce fighting yesterday. Fighting is taking place in Wainnan ward, Panlaw village and Wainhlaing village, which are adjacent to the town,” the displaced local resident continued.
In late November, the Three Brotherhood Alliance announced that it had taken control of Theinni, but it has not yet been able to capture Tactical Operations Command-16 and Light Infantry Battalion-69 under the military council based in Theinni.
The military council is providing air support in the place where fighting is taking place. On 2 January, the military council’s aerial bombardment destroyed civilian houses, the local added.
When the information departments of the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA)-Kokang information and Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) were contacted by the Shan News to seek comment on the fighting, no reply was received from them.
“Many elderly people remain there. I am worried due to the continuous bombardments these days. I am unable to contact them due to phone blackout,” an IDP who fled to Lashio said.
On 1 January, the military council’s shelling wounded a man, a woman and her two children in Panlaw village in Theinni Township on 1 January, according to the statement by the Kokang force.
According to the statement by Kokang force, only a few numbers of military council soldiers remain in Theinni. They are taking shelter near Kyaungkham monastery and firing heavy shells.
In addition, a resident who went back to his home said that while the residents were fleeing the fighting, their houses were burgled and valuables were taken.
“I am away, but I’m worried about Theinni, my farm and my house. I am in danger if I remain there. The valuables were burgled when I was away from my home. The people said that drug abusers looted the house.”
On 24 November, the Three Brotherhood Alliance captured Light Infantry Battalion- 567/568 under the military council near Namsalat village in Theinni Township and seized one armored vehicle, two howitzers and a lot of ammunition, according to the statement.
Since “Operation 1027” which began in the last week of October, the military council has cut off internet and phone lines in Theinni Township. Currently, tension between the Three Brotherhood Alliance and the military council continues to mount in Theinni Township.
About a half of locals from Theinni Township have fled to other regions. They are unable to return home, according to the persons helping the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).
Sent by Shan News