The Thibaw Bridge on the road between Thibaw (Hsipaw) and Lashio in northern Shan State has been closed from both sides by the junta and the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA), making it difficult to transport emergency patients.

The bridge near Thibaw Town, which has returned to junta control, has been closed by both the junta and the MNDAA since November 14 due to rising military tensions. As of December 3, locals reported that both sides were still prohibiting any vehicle across the bridge.

“The bridge is still closed. Goods can’t be transported across, and getting emergency patients to Lashio Hospital is really difficult. No vehicles are allowed to pass, so patients have to walk across the bridge to reach cars waiting on the other side,” said a Thibaw resident.

“If the MNDAA side briefly opens the bridge, the junta closes it. They take turns shutting it down, and sometimes both sides close it at the same time. We really don’t understand what they’re trying to do,” he added.

With the bridge closed, travelers heading to Lashio or the China-Myanmar border town of Muse must use an alternate route that bypasses Thibaw via Kyaukme in northern Shan State. This route requires crossing the Namtu River by ferry, and travelers have complained that it is longer, more time-consuming, and increases their travel costs.

The Palaung ethnic armed group Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) seized Thibaw in October 2024, but the junta retook the town on October 17 this year.

On November 11, the junta demanded that MNDAA troops stationed on the road connecting Lashio City and Thibaw, both under the regime’s control, withdraw. However, talks in Lashio City failed, resulting in rising tensions, both sides closed the bridge separately.