Northern Shan State capital Lashio’s civilian death toll reportedly exceeded 44 this week due to fighting between Myanmar’s junta and the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) and its allies.
The MNDAA and its allies attacked Lashio on July 3 and fighting is ongoing, trapping civilians, according to residents.
According to the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA), which is fighting alongside the MNDAA, Lashio’s civilian death toll was 44 by Wednesday.
The TNLA said the deaths were caused by the junta’s shelling and airstrikes.
Two men and three women were killed by junta airstrikes and shelling on Wednesday and a rescue worker was hit by a bullet.
Lashio rescue teams said the death toll was probably an underestimate, saying large areas of the city were out of reach and dead bodies could not be retrieved.
Wounded civilians have been dying from lack of medical care.
“We left Lashio in mid-July due to the fighting. Only a handful of people stayed behind,” a Lashio rescuer said.
Lashio was home to the regime’s Northeastern Command headquarters, Light Infantry battalions 68 and 41, 912 Field Engineer Battalion, the Communications Battalion, 7005 Armored Combat Battalion, 242 Military Weapon Division and military golf courses.
A resident said: “Some residents were too poor to leave. The MNDAA allowed civilians to leave but some could not.”
Since June 25, 113 civilians have been killed, 170 injured and 105 homes, monasteries and schools destroyed in Kyaukme, Nawnghkio, Hsipaw, Mongmit, Mogoke and Lashio townships in northern Shan State, according to the TNLA.
They are both members of the Brotherhood Alliance, which resumed Operation 1027 in northern Shan State on June 25.
