Many residents of Banmauk Town in Sagaing Region have fled to nearby villages after defence forces advised them to leave the town.

On 24 October 2024, the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) and allied people’s defence forces (PDFs) issued a warning advising all residents to leave the town by 28 October as fighting in the town is imminent.

A merchant from Banmauk Town said: “Locals have also moved their belongings. And there aren't many people left in the houses. But when the town officials said that if people left, their houses would be sealed, some people stayed. It's become much less crowded than usual. There are only a few people left to look after the houses.”

Once officials seal a house the owners cannot return to their house and are essentially homeless.

Despite this, most of the town’s residents have now moved out and taken their belongings with them, though some people still remain  in the town.

The KIA and their PDF allies have also been using drones to film and bomb the junta’s strategic hill base in the town and the town’s administration office which was bombed by resistance drones on 29 October.

A woman living in Banmauk Town’s Laytherkone Ward said: “It started three days ago. The KIA and PDF allied forces used drones to threaten the junta, which responded by firing back with heavy artillery. We can hear the sounds of the heavy artillery. Some locals fled, and some didn't. About two-thirds of the locals have disappeared.”

Since the February 2021 coup rumours of impending fighting in Banmauk Town have led to about one-third of the town’s population temporarily evacuating on three occasions. Despite this, there has only been one occasion of fighting in the town during that time.