Thousands of Shan State and Mandalay Region civilians have fled their homes this week amid fighting between Myanmar’s junta and the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA).
The TNLA, the armed wing of the Palaung State Liberation Front, reported seven clashes on Tuesday with junta troops in Muse and Kutkai townships in northern Shan State and Mogoke Township in neighboring Mandalay Region.
Two morning clashes broke out near Ahtet Nyaung Kone and Out Nyaung Kone villages in Mogoke when Infantry Battalions 102, 104 and 88 attempted to raid TNLA Brigade 2 territory.
The TNLA said it attacked five regime camps in the afternoon and around 400 villagers fled their homes in the fighting.
Clashes were reported in Muse Township on the Chinese border on Tuesday morning when TNLA Battalion 1 and a special commando unit raided a regime base near Sai Khaung village. Around 340 residents from 131 households reportedly fled the fighting.
On Tuesday, fighting was reported in neighboring Kutkai Township when a large regime force attempted to seize TNLA Brigade 1 territory near Kho Mone village, according to the group.
The TNLA claimed the junta suffered heavy losses on Tuesday without giving its own casualty figures.
Nine regime weapons were seized along with ammunition, the TNLA reported.
Heavy junta shelling injured civilians and damaged homes, the group said.
On Monday, around 1,200 residents from several Muse villages were displaced by fighting along the Muse-Namhkam highway when regime forces attempted to raid TNLA mountain bases, according to residents.
Regime forces opened fire in Mam Kan village, injuring a 40-year-old woman, while two junta shells hit a monastery compound.
“Junta soldiers indiscriminately used rifles and shells in our village while people were fleeing. A woman was shot in the thigh by the soldiers,” a Man Kan villager told The Irrawaddy.
Food and tents are urgently needed for displaced people, a civilian sheltering at Ton Khun village told The Irrawaddy on Tuesday.
At least 52 clashes between the TNLA and regime forces have been reported in upper Mandalay Region and northern Shan State since July 23, according to the armed group.
