Fighting Continues Between Rival Groups In Northern Shan State
Volunteers helping displaced villagers worry food rations will run out.
By Network Media Group
March 1, 2019
As fighting continues with no end in sight, villagers displaced by clashes between rival armed groups in northern Shan State wonder when they will be able to return to their homes.
About 300 people from Mangli village are sheltering at Kun San Lek monastery.
Volunteers say they are doing their best to stretch out dwindling food rations but warn if the fighting doesn’t stop soon there won’t be anything left.
Yet, with battles still raging between the Restoration Council of Shan State/Shan State Army (RCSS/SSA) and Shan State Progress Party/Shan State Army (SSPP/SSA) in Hsipaw and Namtu townships it’s unlikely anyone can return home soon.
“Clashes have continued until this morning (Feb. 28). We could hear the sound of gunfire around their village,” said Ko Myo, from Volunteers Without Borders based in Hsipaw.
In a post on the SSPP/SSA’s Facebook page, the armed group accused the RCSS/SSA of abducting Sai Swe Aung from Tongkeng village at 2 pm on February 27. Sai Swe Aung’s parents are Lon Sai Kyaw and Nang Tein Ngwe.
The RCSS and SSPP couldn’t be reached for comment.
The RCSS/SSA is also fighting with the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA).
Both the TNLA and SSPP/SSA are members of the Northern Alliance.
Fighting between armed groups and Myanmar Army has made life very difficult for civilians.
Since the conflicts started, civil society groups have reported a increasing number of human rights abuses against civilians.
