A resident of Hpasawng Township in Karenni State reported that local people are evacuating to temporary safe areas as a precautionary measure, due to their fear of being targeted by artillery shells and airstrikes from the Military Council.
"Throughout the conflict, the Military Council has deployed warplanes, as well as firing artillery shells. Recently a battle erupted on the eastern side of the Salween River in Hpasawng township. As a result, some people near the conflict area fled to safety. Today more individuals in the town are gradually leaving to avoid the danger of airstrikes and artillery attacks," said the resident.
Hpasawng Township has a population of more than 20,000 people, and approximately half of the township's population have already fled their villages in search of safety, according to internally displaced persons (IDPs).
The residents emphasized that warplanes were present and carried out airstrikes during the clashes. As a result, the local population lost confidence in the safety of their village and felt compelled to flee to what they believed would be a secure location.
"It's better for us not to travel, and we can no longer travel freely," expressed a resident of Hpasawng Township. "The revolutionaries in the area prevent us from leaving. From Hpasawng, our only option is to cross the Thanlwin Bridge. Even those who engage in hill-side farming hesitate to return via the bridge once they have crossed it. They prefer to come back by boat as crossing the bridge is inconvenient due to the presence of soldiers. Just yesterday, a combat operation was initiated, resulting in gunfire sounds being heard in the town."
The Hpasawng People's Defense Force (PPDF) has issued an official statement cautioning the public about traveling to the eastern side of the Salween River in Hpasawng Township since June 16, citing ongoing battles and the potential escalation of the conflict. They reported that the Military Council carried out airstrikes and launched artillery shells targeting the locations where the fighting occurred.
On June 15, the Military Council deployed approximately 200 troops, armed with full weapons and supplies, alongside 5 dump trucks, as they advanced from Bawlakhe township to Hpasawng township.
