Two civilians died and less than seven civilians have been injured after the Tatmadaw launched air strikes on the amber mines in the Kachin State’s Tanai area, northern Myanmar, on January 26, according to Tanai residents.
“Four people were injured at the amber mine. The airplane dropped bombs two or three times. Among the injured, one person died a bit later. Another person died in the evening. More people got injured. Five people were injured and two people died at the amber mine. The injured people have been taken to the hospital via boats,” said a resident of Tanai.
Local residents said the Tatmadaw launched airstrikes on Zee-phyu-gone and nearby amber mines in Tanai at around 2 PM on January 26.
According to the local resident, two people have also been injured in the Kachin Independence Army (KIA)’s 14th battalion area.
“We heard that two people have been injured in the KIA’s 14th battalion area. The attacks were made on Zee Hpyu Kone and along the amber mines including the [KIA’s] 14th battalion area. Zee Hpyu Kone and [KIA’s] 14th battalion area are a little far from each other, but they are along the same line. One can reach the battalion area from Zee-phyu-gone after passing through La Pu Kha Naw and Nam Hkam Village,” he said.
Around 1,000 amber miners have been trapped at the amber mines in Zee-phyu-gone, Nyaung-bin-gone, Khan Kyar, and Mai Khwin. Other people have also been trapped due to the air strikes and ongoing clashes in the surroundings.
Tanai resident U Naung Taung said he heard the sounds of heavy weapons and gunfire in Tanai in the evening of January 26.
“We started hearing the sounds of heavy guns this evening (January 26). It’s in Mai Khwin area. The sounds of heavy guns and bombs were from Khan Kyar and Mai Khwin. We heard the sounds up to 6 or 7 PM. We don’t know who fired them,” he said.
U Naung Taung continued that local residents were feeling concerned since the clashes were taking place near Tanai town.
“Tanai residents are always worried since the previous heavy fighting. Everyone is afraid because local residents stepped on landmines when they went to [work on] their farmlands and they frequently hear the sounds of gunfire and heavy weapons. People have died after stepping on land mines. Heavy weapons fell near the village. Everyone is worried because the clashes are getting closer to the town. We are worried about our livings and our safety,” he added.
The Tatmadaw and the KIA clashed near Tain Kauk Village and near Shaduzup Village under Tanai area on the Ledo Road on January 22-23.
The Kachin Independence Organization/Kachin Independence Army (KIO/KIA)’s information officer Col Naw Bu told the Network Media Group on January 22 that military tension is high since the Tatmadaw is carrying out an area clearance operation in the KIA’s 14th battalion of Division 2 area in Tanai.
“They (the Tatmadaw) believe the area clearance operation has not been completed in the [KIA’s] 14th battalion area in Tanai. So, military tension is still high in Tanai. The Tatmadaw has not withdrawn its offensives in the Hukawng Valley and along the Ledo Road. Military tension is high. Fighting may break out anytime,” said Col Naw Bu.
The office of the Tatmadaw’s Commander-in-Chief announced on January 28 that the KIA attacked the headquarters of a local military unit in Shaduzup Village with the use of heavy and small arms on December 30, 2017 and January 22.
