Civilian casualties, including children, continue to mount in the battle for Bhamo, the second capital of Kachin State, with at least 30 deaths reported by the end of December, according to local aid workers and residents.
According to data collected by the Kachin Human Rights Watch (KHRW), more than 30 civilians, including children, died during the December fighting in Bhamo, as stated by KHRW spokesperson Ko Jacob.
“From what we’ve gathered about the situation of Bhamo battle, we’ve recorded around 30 deaths by the end of December. Right now it’s pretty hard to get exact numbers of how many more have died or what’s going on. Among the dead are children – specifically two children have died,” he said.
However, Ko Jacob noted that KHRW’s figures might differ from ground reports.
KHRW reports that ongoing conflicts have made it difficult to gather accurate casualty figures.
On 4 January, an air strike on Bhamo hit near Basic Education High School No. 2, resulting in the death of an elderly man living near the school.
Similarly, aerial bomb strikes hit Sin Kone Ward and Thukha Waddi Monastery, killing a Grade-12 student and injuring eight civilians.
KHRW attributes civilian casualties to artillery shelling and aerial attacks by the military junta.
“The civilian deaths in Bhamo were caused by the military council’s artillery shelling. We’ve gotten reports of people being taken to hospitals after getting injured. We estimate around 20 people have been injured. This Bhamo battle is one of the worst situations we’ve seen among all the fighting,” Ko Jacob explained.
The wounded from the battle are being transported to hospitals in Kachin Independence Organization (KIO)-controlled Laiza territory for medical treatment.
“Three or four people I know personally are in Laiza hospital right now. There could be more. And that’s just people from my ward that we know about. A lot of houses got burned down too,” said a displaced woman from Bhamo.
Aid workers report that approximately 40,000 residents from Bhamo, Momauk, Shwegu, and Mansi Townships have fled to Myitkyina and Mandalay, and they are in urgent need of shelter, food, medicine, tarpaulin sheets, and clothing.
The Kachin Independence Army (KIA) and allied resistance groups launched simultaneous offensives on Bhamo and Mansi on 4 December 2024. After more than a month of fighting, they seized complete control of Mansi on 8 January 2025.
According to locals, the battle for Banmauk continued intensely until 9 January, with allied resistance groups controlling most of the town.
KHRW reported on 2 January that fighting in Kachin State’s Hpakant, Waingmaw, Bhamo, Mogaung, and Tanai Townships in 2024 resulted in 142 civilian deaths and 167 injuries.
Sent by NMG.