Several civilians trapped in fighting between the Myanmar military and the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) in Bhamo Township were injured when an artillery shell hit a monastery where they were taking refuge on Tuesday.
They have asked aid organizations to help evacuate them down the Irrawaddy River to Mandalay.
A volunteer helping displaced civilians told The Irrawaddy on Tuesday: “We received a request today from residents taking refuge in Theintawgyi Monastery. They said some people were injured by artillery and that they are fleeing the town by boat.”
Fighting has been raging in Bhamo since Dec. 4, when the KIA and its allies launched an onslaught on junta positions in the southern Kachin town. The KIA has captured Bhamo Technological University, where junta troops were deployed, according to local sources.
Many residents have fled but some remain.
A video clip shared on social media shows the KIA capturing a hilltop junta position outside Bhamo town with dead bodies of junta soldiers and their weapons.
The Irrawaddy could not obtain a comment from KIA spokesman Colonel Naw Bu on Tuesday, but he earlier said KIA troops had already occupied some wards in Bhamo.
Residents are fleeing by boat to Sin Khan village in Shwegu Township, from where they proceed to monasteries or their friends and relatives. Some go on all the way to Mandalay with the help of aid organizations.
How many remain trapped in the town is unknown, and aid groups can only rescue them once they have escaped Bhamo, one volunteer said.
He added that displaced people need food and other necessities.
“Many displaced people from Bhamo are facing hardships in Mandalay without assistance and shelter. I urge people not to ignore them,” he said.
