A combined force of around 1,000 military junta and Pa-O National Organization (PNO) militia troops advanced into Yae Pu village on the eastern bank of Pekon Lake in southern Shan State, leading to clashes and forcing local resistance groups to retreat from four areas, according to reports.
The junta’s combined column began its advance on 2 June 2025, and is currently positioned at the junction of Taung Poet Kwe village, as confirmed by local resistance groups.
“We had to give up four areas: Yae Pu, Nyaung Lay Pin, Nan Toke, and Taung Poet Kwe,” one resistance official said.
Currently, the combined troops of the junta and PNO are stationed in the areas vacated by the resistance groups. While no active clashes are taking place at the moment, the resistance groups warn that skirmishes could break out at any time.
The junta is reportedly conducting operations with one column in the Yae Pu area on the eastern bank of Pekon Lake, another in Moebye, and a third in the Kone Thar area.
This has left villages on the eastern bank of Pekon Lake caught in a precarious situation, warned an official from the Karenni Nationalities Defense Force (KNDF) Battalion 34.
“The remaining villages and residents on the eastern bank of Pekon Lake need to stay very vigilant. With one column in Yae Pu, another in Kone Thar, and a third in Moebye, the eastern bank is effectively surrounded, so the remaining residents must take great care,” said the KNDF official.
As a result of the junta and PNO’s offensive, residents from around 15 villages on the eastern bank of Pekon Lake—including Saung Nan Khe, Loi Paw, Nang Paw Long, Nan Sont, Pein Hne Kone, Yae Pu, Nyaung Lay Pin, Nan Toke, Kone Thar, Taung Poet Kwe, Hopang (East), Hopang (West), La Hei, Ma Hkay Hkam, and Taung Poet Gyi—have been forced to flee to safer areas.
Ko Andrew, a local aiding displaced persons, said: “Residents of around 14 or 15 villages, including Saung Nan Khe, Loi Paw, Nang Paw Long, Nam Sut, and Pein Hne Kone, have fled. These people are struggling to meet basic needs.”
Displaced residents are grappling with numerous hardships, including shortages of food and shelter.
“The challenges are immense—food shortages, medicine shortages, and a lack of tents and tarps for shelter. Many are hiding on the western bank, while others are taking refuge in nearby huts or villages,” Ko Andrew added.
On the morning of 6 June 2025, junta’s artillery shelling killed a 19-year-old student in Nang Paw Long village. In addition, on 7 June, an 8-year-old child was injured by artillery fire by the Moebye-based Battalion 422.
Similarly, on the night of 10 June, civilian homes were destroyed when the junta troops targeted the village with unguided rockets, Ko Andrew said.
“On 10 June, they used unguided rockets, hitting civilian homes and causing damage. Around 11 p.m., they targeted areas with hundreds of displaced people and locals, destroying homes with the rockets,” he said.
The ongoing rainy season is a critical time for local farmers to grow crops, and being forced to flee has caused significant losses. A local farmer still residing in the area expressed concern:
“It’s the planting season now. Some have already planted, while others are in the process. With the ongoing military council’s offensive, we’re worried about long-term food security.”
On 9 June 2025, the PNO bombed the Kayan New Land Party’s checkpoint in Saung Nan Khe village, injuring three Kayan New Land Party fighters. One of them later succumbed to injuries during treatment.
Sent by Kantarawaddy Times
