Locals from some villages have fled to safer places as fighting has intensified between Shan Nationalities Army (SNA), the military council joint force and Homalin People’s Defense Force (PDF) allied force in Hlawsinkone village in Homalin Township in Sagaing Region since 8 November.
Since the early morning of 8 November, the combined force of the SNA and the military council with a strength of more than 100 members stationed in King pagoda in Naungpoaung village in Homalin Township conducted an offensive by indiscriminate firing of small and heavy weapons into Hlwasinkone village where Homalin PDFs has controlled the majority of territory. There was a clash at a forest near Hlwasinkone village, a woman close to Homalin PDF said.
For the past three or four days, the military council’s reinforcement in Naungpoaung from Homalin aims to conduct an offensive. At around 5 am on 8 November, the military conducted an offensive in Hlwasinkone. Clash occurred as the PDFs are active in Hlwasinkone. Fighting took place till 11 am. Tension mounts now,” she continued.
Homalin PDFs—Bo Moe Gyo force, Khamti Battalion-1, Homalin 123 Battalion and U Shan Gyi force—ambushed the military column as the PDFs got the ground information about the offensive into Hlwasinkone. Due to the heavy casualties from the SNA and military council, the military council sent ground reinforcements and conducted airstrikes, local residents said.
“The SNA and military council force suffered heavy casualties. At around 9 am, the military council dropped four to five bombs along Hlwasinkone. There were no reports of casualties from the PDF,” she said.
Since 7 November, the people from Hlwasinkone village and nearby villages have fled to other villages and cities due to intense fighting in Hlwasinkone. Since 8 November, most people have started fleeing to safety, locals said.
Since the past four days before the military council’s offensive, the military has cut off mobile phone lines including the MPT in the entire Homalin Township, local residents said.
Currently, Hlwasinkone village is located about 12 miles from Homalin. The SNA and the military council have been trying to fully control Aungpoaung and Hlwasinkine villages since the beginning of this year, according to local news sources.
Sent by KNG
