Fighting between Myanmar’s junta and the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) continues in Muse and Kutkai townships in northern Shan State, displacing thousands of people near the Chinese border since late August.
TNLA, the armed wing of the Palaung State Liberation Front, reported that junta jet fighters bombed two TNLA targets in Muse Township on Monday night.
There were no TNLA casualties reported, the group said.
Heavy shelling was reported by Sei Lant villagers on Monday night amid high military tension in Muse Township.
“We heard gunfire and shelling overnight. We have not slept properly in a week,” a Sei Lant villager said.
Sources said around 30 TNLA troops entered Sei Lant and have been living in civilian houses since late August.
“We want them to leave our village if possible. We are not safe until they return to their mountain camp,” a villager said.
Junta infantry troops in Nam Hpat Kar have been shelling TNLA targets in Muse and Kutkai townships.
A monk and another civilian were injured by junta shelling in Zheng Hsar village, Muse Township, near the Chinese border on September 20.
Heavy fighting was reported on Monday near Hko Mone village in Kutkai Township as junta Infantry Battalions 17, 574 and 577 advanced into TNLA territory on September 25.
Hko Mone villagers said they cannot make a living while fighting continues.
“Junta troops fire shells every day. We don’t want them to fight near our village,” a Hko Mone resident said.
Nam Hpat Kar residents in Kutkai told The Irrawaddy on Tuesday that they heard explosions near their village in the morning.
“We picked up our children from school when we heard explosions,” a mother said.
A man was injured by a landmine in Nam Hpat Kar and taken to Kutkai hospital by a volunteer group on Sunday.
At least five people, including two teenagers, were killed and eight injured by junta bombardments of Nam Hpat Kar since July, volunteers said.
The TNLA said more than 50 battles had broken out with junta troops in Kutkai and Muse townships since July 23.
