Fighting in Shan State displaces hundreds of villagers.

Over 300 villagers were forced to flee their homes after fighting between Shan armed groups broke out again in Myanmar’s conflict-ridden northern Shan State.

Over 150 villagers from Tonkeng and Khaihio villages in Hsipaw Township sought refuge in Nermakhaw monastery on Christmas Day after fighting started the day earlier. An additional 140 villagers are sheltering in Nawng Kawt monastery.

A villager affected by fighting told SHAN a house was torched and a monastery was damaged during clashes.

“Shells landed inside Tonkeng. Luckily, nobody was hurt in the clashes.”

Displaced villagers are still arriving at the monastery, said the villager.

Local civil society groups have arranged trucks to transport them to safety.

“We are waiting at Ho Ner village for residents that have fled from their villages,” an aid worker said. Elderly, women and children are still trapped in their villages, unable to flee due to ongoing clashes.

In the last few months, heavy fighting between the Restoration Council of Shan State/Shan State Army (RCSS/SSA) and Shan State Progress Party/Shan State Army (SSPP/SSA) have created instability for villagers. The conflict is causing food insecurity and some wonder if they will have enough to eat in the upcoming year.

Min Aung Hlaing, commander-in-chief of the Myanmar Armed Forces, declared the Army will take action to stop all military operations by ethnic armed organizations (EAOs) in four military command regions until April 20, 2019. He urged EAOs not to attack each other, or commit human rights abuses against civilians. If they can’t control their forces the Tatmadaw (Myanmar Army) will take action against them warned Hlaing.