Ongoing fighting in Demoso Township, Karenni State, driven by the junta's offensive, has left locals and internally displaced people (IDPs) sheltering there fearing displacement once again.
Since August, the junta has conducted offensives along the Demoso-Hpruso Road to retake lost territories, aiming to hold voting in Karenni State for the upcoming election it will oversee. As a result, fierce battles between the junta and resistance forces in Demoso Township continue to rage.
Both locals and IDPs fear the junta may escalate indiscriminate attacks, including artillery shelling and airstrikes on civilian and military targets across Demoso Township amid ongoing fighting.
“Airplanes are flying overhead almost every day, and we hear drones from time to time. Artillery fire happens every day, and everyone is worried. We’ve heard reports that the junta could launch indiscriminate attacks at any moment. There are also rumors that IDP camps and schools might be targeted. Because of this, parents are afraid to send their children to school, and schools are often forced to close. If this continues, children’s education will be seriously affected. With planes constantly in the sky, parents just don’t feel safe sending their kids to school,” an IDP woman in western Demoso Township told NMG.
Schools across Demoso Township are currently closed because of the threat of drones and airstrikes.
Karenni State Interim Executive Council (IEC) Secretary 2, U Banyar, said that as the military situation grows more tense each day, locals face greater risks to their safety and travel, while job opportunities are becoming increasingly scarce.
“The military situation is getting more tense, and the conflict zone keeps spreading. This is really worrying the local people. Even traveling for emergencies, like health issues, is becoming very difficult. For example, going from the east to the west of Demoso Township is now really hard,” he said.
Karenni resistance forces have announced that the Hpruso-Htarle-Nanhpe Road will be closed starting September 23 due to the ongoing military situation. They have also advised the public to refrain from traveling on the Loikaw-Demoso-Hpruso-Bawlakhe Road for now.
An IDP woman said that daily military clashes, junta airstrikes, drone attacks, and artillery shelling have left local communities living in constant worry.
“Fighting is happening every day. Every morning, we wake up to the sound of artillery shelling. We’re always on edge, listening for airplanes in panic. Just recently, when we heard artillery thuds nearby, our family ran out of the house and hid in bomb pits. Now we hear that junta forces are getting closer, and we’re running out of places to escape to,” she told NMG.
The fighting is also disrupting travel to places such as Loinanhpa and Nanmekhon in Demoso Township.
The resistance forces have also urged local communities to closely follow their warnings and announcements, as the military situation grows increasingly volatile.
