As fighting escalates in Waingmaw, residents who fled Kachin Independence Army (KIA) offensives against Military Council installations elsewhere in Waingmaw Township now find themselves getting ready to flee clashes once again.
A man assisting them in the town, located on the outskirts of Myitkyina, the capital of Kachin State, informed SHAN that they are facing a challenging situation as the KIA and its ally, the People's Defence Force - Kachin Region, clashes with regime troops within Waingmaw.
As the conflict spreads, he expressed his concern, stating, “I myself could also become an internally displaced person at any time.” He added that for the time being, they will remain in the town to monitor the situation on the ground. Some individuals have already opted to flee, while those who remain lack sufficient transportation to reach safety.
“It's difficult to hire a car here, and we may already be trapped in the town due to blocked roads,” he explained. With no relief efforts reaching them, residents are facing food shortages.
Approximately 10,000 people are displaced in the township, including many ethnic Shan. The majority of those affected by the conflict are women and children. Figures regarding the number of individuals remaining in the town were not available at the time of this news report.
On June 10, junta shelling resulted in the death of a 27-year-old civilian and injuries to 5 others in the township.
