A total of 1,000 residents from Banmauk Town in Katha District’s Banmauk Township, Sagaing Region, have been displaced and are now taking refuge in the western part of the town.
The withdrawal of the (SNA), which had previously controlled the town, prompted residents to flee, according to Shanni civil organizations.
“Right now, the SNA still controls parts of the western side of the town. All the townspeople have moved there, following the SNA. For now, they’re staying in monasteries and schools,” said a young aid worker assisting the displaced.
The Kachin Independence Army (KIA) and People’s Defence Force (PDF) coalition launched an intensified offensive to capture Banmauk Town on September 15 and seized the central wards by the evening of September 20. The SNA was forced to retreat to the western part of the town, and residents began evacuating that same day, when the KIA and PDF took control of the town center.
The Kachin Independence Army (KIA) and People’s Defence Force (PDF) coalition intensified their offensive to seize Banmauk Town on September 15, capturing the central wards by the evening of September 20. The SNA then retreated to the town’s western side, while residents began evacuating that day as the central wards fell to the KIA and PDF.
A battalion of the SNA had been stationed in Banmauk since late 2023 and played a key role in managing the town’s healthcare and education sectors.
Amid rising military tensions, many people had already evacuated, leaving only about 1,500 residents in Banmauk Town when the fighting began on September 15. Currently, all of them are gathered and taking shelter in the western part of the town.
Banmauk is a town where roughly 70 percent of the population belongs to the Shanni ethnic group. Since 2023, the KIA-PDF coalition has controlled the town’s eastern and northern outskirts.
The No. 1 Military Region Command of the National Unity Government (NUG), which spearheaded the offensive, announced on September 22 that it has taken control of Banmauk Town’s central wards.
During the clashes in the town, seven SNA soldiers and six KIA-PDF coalition fighters were reportedly killed.
Displaced residents confirmed to Voice of Shan-Ni that they are currently restricted from returning to the center of Banmauk Town.
