Around 100 villagers from Kyaukse township, Shan State fled their homes on May 21 amid an outbreak of renewed clashes between two ethnic armed groups.
A fresh round of hostilities erupted between erstwhile foes the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) and the Restoration Council of Shan State (RCSS) earlier this month.
The displaced residents of Kun Kaw Village Group and Loi An Village Group are taking shelter in Kyaukme, according to locals.
“Ninety-five villagers from Tawt Hpei and Ong Awee villages under the Kun Kaw Village Group, as well as some families from Hkon Ngin and Wan Kan villages under the Loi An Village Group are taking shelter in Ward 8. Villagers living near the shelter went to see them and gave them food…There may be difficulties if there is an increase,” Sai Par, a Kyaukme resident, told S.H.A.N.
The TNLA has accused the RCSS of invading its territory. The RCSS claims that clashes broke out due to a landmine clearance project.
“We are clearing the landmines in line with the NCA [nationwide ceasefire agreement]. Clashes broke out when we confronted the TNLA. There are many landmines. It’s been over a month since we started clearing the landmines in accord with public demand,” said Lieutenant Colonel Sai Nguen, the RCSS spokesperson.
The Tatmadaw, the TNLA, the RCSS, and the Shan State Progressive Party all have active units in the Kyaukme are.
Kyaukme residents said the newly displaced villagers reported heavy fighting.
More than 300 civilians from eight villages in northern Shan State’s Namtu township also fled an outbreak of fighting between the RCSS and the TNLA earlier this month.
Fighting between the RCSS, a ceasefire signatory, and the TNLA, a non-signatory, sporadically erupted in both 2015 and 2015
Translated by Thida Linn
Edited by Laignee Barron
