At least 20 civilians were killed and many others injured in the junta’s bombings near Theinni market in northern Shan State, according to locals.
At around 5 pm on 18 July, the military council bombed four locations in the town including around the Theinni market, a local man said.
ÒRecently, the military council has been carrying out frequent bombings in Theinni. Yesterday evening, the junta dropped bombs near the market, where many people had gathered. We don’t have the exact number of casualties yet. The rough estimate is around 20,” said a local man from Theinni.
Currently, phone lines remain unavailable in Theinni town. The details regarding civilian casualties are still under investigation.
On 15 July, the military council’s bombings on Theinni town destroyed cars and houses owned by civilians. On the night of 11 July, the military council’s bombings targeted a school and the office of an education officer, resulting in the destruction of all school buildings.
On the night of 3 July, the military council bombed Theinni. It landed and exploded near Theinni Myoma police station, destroying the civilian houses. On 14 July, the junta’s aistrikes on Kokang-controlled Laukkai killed one civilian and injured at least 10 others.
“The fighting could intensify. We urge the armed resistance forces to avoid mingling with the public. I don’t understand if they are provoking attacks from the enemy or seeking protection among civilians. My main plea to them is to stay away from civilians,” said a local from Theinni.
Currently, the fighting between the military council and the Kokang army continues between Lashio and Theinni, and thousands of local people from Lashio and Kokang areas have fled to the Wa state.
The Kokang- Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) issued a statement calling for a ceasefire for 4 days starting on 14 July, but the military council continued to carry out aerial bombings of Kokang-controlled areas.
In Lashio, since early July, there have been ongoing battles, leading to an increase in civilian casualties due to shelling in the town.
Sent by KNG