Fighting between military and KIA prompts hundreds of villagers in northern Shan State to flee

By Admin 17 Feb 2023

DMG Newsroom
17 February 2023, Kutkai, Shan State

At least 500 locals were reportedly forced to flee after the Myanmar military launched an airstrike on a camp belonging to Battalion No. 9 of the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) near Khomone Village, Kutkai Township, in northern Shan State.

Fighting began on February 11 as the Myanmar military carried out airstrikes and ground attacks on territory controlled by KIA Battalion No. 9, locals said.

“The military fired around 100 artillery shells and junta fighter jets and helicopters dropped about 80 bombs on the KIA-controlled area,” said a source close to KIA Battalion No. 9.

The 500 displaced Khomone villagers are currently taking shelter in nearby villages, according to aid workers.

“Almost all residents of Khomone Village fled to safer locations due to the clashes between the military and KIA,” said an aid worker.

The fighting came after three military columns entered a territory controlled by KIA Battalion No. 9, RFA quoted KIA information officer Colonel Naw Bu as saying. The military regime has yet to release any statement about the fighting.

A 30-year-old woman and a 90-year-old man were injured after an artillery shell fired by the military landed and exploded in Namt Phat Kar Village, Kutkai Township, on February 13, according to locals.

Residents are worried that the fighting will intensify as the military continues to send reinforcements to the area.