Fierce fighting has been ongoing between combined military junta and militia troops and local defense forces for five consecutive days near the Tha Hpan Seik Dam in Sagaing Region, Myanmar’s largest dam, according to local sources.
From 19 to 23 November, fierce battles took place in the villages near the dam, such as Kone Gyi village tract of Kyunhla Township and Yin Taik, Pay Ta Pin, Pan Ma Ye, Aung Chan Thar, and Za Phyu Yit in Aung Chan Thar village tract of Kanbalu Township.
A local resident explained that military council troops and the militia group led by U Wah Tha Wa launched the offensive operations under the pretext of “area clearance,” leading to confrontations with local defense forces.
“All morning today (20 November), they were firing repeatedly. During breakfast, a plane flew overhead. So we had to quickly hide under my tent with a rice plate in hand. There are many displaced people here. Among them are pregnant women and children. Many people have fled to our area, but the fighting is getting closer to our village. I have no idea where should we flee next,” said a local gold panner near the Tha Hpan Seik Dam area.
Locals report that the fighting remains intense, with junta troops increasingly using aerial support, escalating the conflict.
Currently, junta troops are positioned near the Tha Hpan Seik Dam on the border between Kawlin and Kyunhla Townships, with continuous artillery sounds heard towards Hse Le and Kone Gyi villages.
“What’s happening now is within Khunhla but is just like in Kawlin. It’s almost indistinguishable – on the east bank of the creek is Kawlin and on the west bank is Kyunhla. Displaced locals say the village that was on fire is Hse Le, and fighting is still going on in Ywar Gyi Kone. We can see the fire from our location at night,” said a local resident.
Intense fighting is currently taking place in the adjoining border of Kawlin, Kyunhla, and Kanbalu Townships, not far from National Unity Government (NUG)-controlled Pinlebu Township.
Due to the ongoing fighting, over 8000 people have been displaced from eight villages – Ta Kone, Koke Ko Kone, Than Pu Yar Pin Su, Mya Bon Thar, Hlut Taik, Ma Daung and Swea Hle in Kyunhla Township and Let Khoke Pin in Kanbalu Township.
Sent by Shanni Voice.
