Richard Locals said military junta soldiers have been arriving within 6 miles of Kyaukme town, located on the northeastern trade route in northern Shan State, since September 12.
“Military junta soldiers have arrived within 6 miles of Kyaukme town. Last night, we heard drones and artillery, as well as Y12s, being used for bombing,”
a local man said. The areas where the bombings and artillery attacks were near Kyaukme were Hkaik Ton Huong, Kawng Mu Lein, Mong Len, and Nam Sok villages, and there may be about 80 bombs, he said.
The military junta is likely using airstrikes and drones to clear the way for its troops to advance, he said.
“If the air and drones are used in tandem, the military junta soldiers could reach Kyaukme town within days. Because they are not evenly matched in terms of weapons,”
another local resident said. He said that the TNLA and the joint forces are not evenly matched in terms of both military strength and weapons, so it is not easy to defend themselves.
He also said that if the military junta soldiers are currently in a position of advantage, the TNLA joint forces launch a fierce counterattack from Kyaukme town, the city could be damaged.
The Shan Human Rights Commission reported that 29 civilians were killed and 66 injured in Kyaukme township between August 18 and August 30 due to the military junta’s air and ground attacks, and more than 8,600 were forced to flee.
Since last July, the military junta has been launching an offensive to retake the border trade route in northern Shan State, the economic gateway to Myanmar’s northeast.
Photo: Taung Sayleik village near Hkaik Ton Huong village in Kyaukme Township was bombed on the afternoon of September 12
