The district administration office under the Ministry of Defense of the resistance-run National Unity Government (NUG) announced the temporary closure of the Tigyaing–Katha Road due to renewed fighting in northern Sagaing Region.

The NUG announced that the section of road running through Tigyaing, Katha, Indaw, Nabar and Maw Luu towns and extending to Namseeawng Village in Monghnyin Township, Kachin State, would be temporarily closed starting May 24.

“Although the main highway is currently closed, we are trying to operate bus services via alternative routes on a trial basis. We still cannot say for certain what will happen next,” said a local bus driver.

At the intersection near Naba Village in Indaw Township, Sagaing Region, heavy fighting between junta forces and the Kachin Independence Army (KIA)–People’s Defence Force (PDF) coalition has left passengers and trucks stranded along the highway.

The NUG also warned that under the pretext of declaring a local emergency, the junta is abducting civilians for use as porters, commandeering civilian vehicles, and using them to transport ammunition.

Since last weekend, several villages in Katha Township have witnessed renewed artillery exchanges, prompting residents to evacuate, while concerns remain that fighting could resume.

In March, the junta recaptured Katha, Indaw, and Maw Luu towns, regaining control of the Myitkyina–Maw Luu–Indaw–Katha–Tigyaing Road.