As of yesterday, over 3,000 people were displaced and 10 were killed since fighting erupted between the Tatmadaw (Myanmar Defense Services) and ethnic armed forces in northern Shan State in the early morning of November 20.
The first phase of the fighting, which lasted until yesterday afternoon, began when the Northern Allies, a grouping of the KIA, TNLA and MNDAA, attacked three sites in Muse Township early that morning.
People flee from Myanmar into China. Photo: Chaw Su Su Khang/Facebook
TNLA spokesperson Colonel Tar Phone Kyaw confirmed that the Northern Alliance was behind the attacks.
He told Radio Free Asia: “We targeted the Myanmar army, which was patrolling the area. The Myanmar army has launched many attacks in the forests of our ethnic areas, including Ta’ang, Kokant, Kachin and Rakhine. We have so many difficulties in our daily lives. This problem will not be solved in the forest, so we came out to do this.”
Clashes occurred in Mone Koe Township, Pan Seng, the 105-Mile Trade Zone and some areas on the eastern side of Kutkai Township.
The Myanmar State Counsellor’s Information Committee has been publishing updates on this conflict as well as the Rakhine State conflict on its Facebook page. According to its reports, 10 people, including civilians, were killed, and 33 were injured in the initial fighting. Around 3,200 people were displaced.
People flee from Myanmar into China. Photo: Chaw Su Su Khang/Facebook
Zaw Htay, the spokesperson for the President Office, told BBC that the actions of the Northern Alliance are not acceptable as they are targeting civilians.
He said: “We gave them the chance to take part in the 21st Century Panglong Conference. We have negotiated with the Myanmar army to allow these groups to participate in political dialogue framework discussions. This [conflict] is a big step backward. They did it while we were opening the door to let them in.”
Several police stations, military bases and Nampaw, located 18 miles from Muse Township, were destroyed. Two ambulances owned by a charity organization were hit by gunfire.
Several trucks were stranded on the Union Road, the main commercial road between Myanmar and China, until yesterday. The road has since been reopened by police and security forces, even as the clashes continue.
Colonel Tar Phone Kyaw told 7Day Daily: “I want to request that people do not travel to the north while the fighting continues. I am worried that will get shot as the Myanmar army is moving forward with so much support. Both sides are shooting. It is difficult to determine which bullet belongs to which side.”
The Chinese embassy in Myanmar announced on November 22 that the Chinese government has accepted over 3,000 Myanmar IDPs and has offered them food and shelter.
