The military junta has launched a major offensive in northern Shan State’s Nawnghkio Township, recapturing some villages, according to military sources.
The junta has split its forces into two columns, advancing from Lawksawk Township through the Taungkham-Kan Gyi area and from Pyin Oo Lwin through Ohn Ma Thee village, aggressively attacking toward Nawnghkio. The junta has reinforced their presence up to Shwe Thun, Long Wei, and Nyan Taw villages, a frontline military source reported.
“On sunny days, their planes come, so we just wish for rain. They claimed a ceasefire until the end of this month, but the military council is the one launching offensives. We’re fighting defensively. They come with massive forces, and sometimes they suffer heavy losses too,” the source said.
The junta has recaptured Shwe Mu Htaw, Nawng Len, Meit Poke, Tha Yet Cho, and Shauk Chon villages in Nawnghkio Township.
They are also launching a large-scale offensive to retake Nawnghkio town, with their forces in Shwe Thun village now just 8 miles from the town.
Due to the clashes in Nawnghkio Township, displaced civilians fleeing to Kyaukme Township are facing severe food and shelter shortages, according to a displaced woman.
“There are a lot of displaced people in Kyaukme, probably over a thousand. We keep hearing loud explosions from Nawnghkio and Nawng Ping. We’re monitoring the situation, but this time, there’s nowhere left to flee. They’re cracking down on motorbike licenses, so we can’t even ride, and jobs are scarce too,” she said.
On 22 June, the junta bombed Tha Yet Kone village in Nawnghkio. Previously on 21 June, they dropped over 50 bombs on Than Bo village, as reported by the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA).
In late April, the TNLA and the junta held talks in Kunming, mediated by China. The junta demanded that the TNLA withdraw from Nawnghkio, Kyaukme, Hsipaw, Mogok, and Momeik Townships, but the talks collapsed.
Despite military pressure from the junta and diplomatic pressure from China, the TNLA stated at a 5 June press conference that they will not relinquish their territories and will continue resisting the military junta.
Sent by Shan Herald.
