There are concerns about civilian casualties after Lashio Town in northern Shan State was again hit by junta airstrikes at two locations, at around 10:30 am on 9 September 2024.
One attack was in the area of the General Administrative Office and the other was around Byuhar Road, according to a local who spoke to the Kachin News Group (KNG).
He said: “We can say the situation is an emergency. We've received reports of casualties, though the specifics are still unclear. Junta aircraft dropped two bombs around 10:30 a.m.”
The day before, 8 September, an airstrike hit near the Silver Sky Hotel in Lashio Town. Previously, on 30 August, two junta airstrikes hit downtown Lashio.
The Kokang armed organisation, the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA), took control of Lashio Town on 3 August. Since then, there has been no fighting in the area, but following the recent junta airstrikes the population is deeply concerned about future junta airstrikes. Many who fled the city before the MNDAA takeover are still too worried about airstrikes to return.
A woman living in Lashio said: "Right now, our main concern is the danger of airstrikes. We returned to Lashio last week after being displaced, but with the junta carrying out frequent airstrikes, we're unsure whether we should evacuate again. We're really worried. If the airstrikes continue in the coming days, we'll have no choice but to flee once more.”
According to locals, United Wa State Army (UWSA) soldiers have deployed alongside MNDAA troops in Lashio Town. The MNDAA is also in the process of setting up an administration for Lashio Town, but has not yet completely done so.
The Three Brotherhood Alliance, which includes the MNDAA, the Ta’ang National Liberation Organisation (TNLA) and the Arakan Army (AA), has captured and controls the northern Shan State towns of Namhkam, Mantong, Kutkai, Namhsan, and Lashio. As the Alliance works on establishing administrations for these towns the junta has intensified its airstrikes on them, leading to civilian deaths and casualties.
On 2 September the junta designated the Three Brotherhood Alliance as a terrorist organisation. Since then the junta has launched a series of airstrikes on towns and areas controlled by the Alliance.
