Fighting between Burma Army and several armed groups from the Northern Alliance escalated after the ethnic alliance destroyed one of the military’s camps in Kutkai Township last Wednesday, May 5.

Tatmadaw—as the Burma Army is locally called—attacked Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) and Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) with artillery near Nam Khong village on May 7.

A villager from Kuthai, who weathered out last week’s violence from the protection of his bunker, told SHAN he wasn’t aware of any casualties from Friday’s clashes.

At least five civilians have been hurt by fighting in the township in northern Shan state, however, since the conflict started May 4. Five homes were also destroyed.

In Nawngkio Township, hundreds of civilians are displaced by clashes between competing Shan armed groups.

Since May 4, the Restoration Council of Shan State (RCSS) and Shan State Progress Party (SSPP), which is part of the Northern Alliance, clashed near Ner Moong and Ner Yok villages.

“There are more than 300 IDPs (internally displaced persons) afraid to return home who are staying in a monastery in Kalar Kwe village,” a local who’s helping them told SHAN.

There are over 2,000 villagers who have been displaced by fighting between RCSS and combined forces, SSPP/SSA and TNLA, in Kyaukme, Hsipaw and Namtu townships.

Shan community and religious leaders called for an end to the conflict between the ethnic armed organizations.

SHAN attempted to reach RCSS and SSPP for comment, but no one replied.