In Hsihseng Township, Shan State, after four weeks of fighting between the Pa-O National Organization/Pa-O National Army (PNO/PNA), a pro-Junta proxy, and the Pa-O National Liberation Organization/Pa-O National Liberation Army (PNLO/PNLA), aligned with the anti-coup movement, more than 7000 displaced persons were forced to flee the fighting according to the Pa-O Youth Organization (PYO).

These war-displaced individuals are currently seeking shelter in Taunggyi and Hopong townships, as well as nearby forested areas. They are encountering hardships in accessing food and suitable accommodations,a PYO official told Shan Herald.

The number of war-displaced people in southern Shan State has now surpassed 700,000. This includes individuals who sought refuge in Hsihseng as a result of the clashes in Karenni State. While we are currently in the process of gathering precise data, our utmost priority is to provide assistance and address their needs to the best of our abilities”, he said.

With both those escaping the clashes in Hsihseng and those fleeing the conflicts in Karenni State, the number of war-displaced individuals amounts to no less than 70,231.

Out of these over 70,000 war-displaced individuals, approximately 30 percent are elderly over the age of 50, while roughly 20 percent are children under the age of 10. The majority of middle-aged war-displaced individuals are currently seeking shelter in forested areas located in close proximity to townships.

During the four-week period of Hsihseng Battle, the Military Council carried out a total of 263 air attacks and 311 incidents of shelling. As a result, 65 houses and 12 religious buildings were destroyed, PYO’s statement revealed.

Meanwhile, aid workers have also issued a warning, emphasizing the alarming decrease in food stockpiles among Hsihseng residents seeking shelter in the forests due to the ongoing clashes.