Heavy fighting is ongoing between Myanmar junta troops and Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA)-led forces in the neighboring townships of Nawnghkio and Hsipaw, northern Shan State, according to residents and resistance forces.
Clashes erupted around Nawnghkio Township’s Taung Khan and Mat Man Taw villages on Sunday, said the TNLA, a member of the ethnic Brotherhood Alliance.
A junta Y-12 transport plane dropped at least 20 bombs on Nawnghkio Township hotspots on Sunday alone, according to the TNLA’s statement.
Fighting around the two villages continued on Monday, residents said.
“Taung Khan is located on the road between Nawnghkio and Yatsauk [Lawksawk] Township in southern Shan State. The junta troops now stranded in these areas are reinforcements sent from southern Shan State,” said a Nawnghkio resident.
Lawksawk is located about 160 kilometers south of Nawnghkio
Since launching Phase 2 of Operation 1027 on June 25, the TNLA and allies have seized Nawnghkio, Mongmit and Kyaukme towns in northern Shan State and Mogoke Township in Mandalay Region. Meanwhile, fellow Brotherhood Alliance member, the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA), and its allies have captured Lashio city, capital of northern Shan.
TNLA-led forces are now attempting to seize full control of Hsipaw Township, where heavy fighting with junta troops is reported.
“Most Hsipaw residents have already fled the town and are taking shelter in nearby townships under TNLA control,” said a member of the ethnic army.
TNLA-led forces launched attacks on Hsipaw’s Infantry Battalion 23, and Light Infantry Battalion 503, 504 bases on Saturday.
The ethnic army seized Hsipaw Township’s prison on the same day, releasing 109 inmates including 29 political prisoners, according to a TNLA source.
The Brotherhood Alliance overran dozens of towns and battalions during phase one of Operation 1027 offensive late last year.
The operation resumed in late June after a China-brokered ceasefire collapsed. Since then, the alliance has seized northern Shan’s Kyaukme, Hsipaw, Nawnghkio and Lashio, as well as Madaya and Mogoke towns in Mandalay Region.
